The 6th Cong. Red Durano Basketball Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Just about this time for the past several years, the 10 municipalities and one component city comprising the 5th Congressional District of Cebu will converge at the City of Danao for the sixth staging of Congressman Red Durano’s basketball tournament set to open in the early afternoon of Wednesday, April 25.

Since one of the goals of the league is to discover and develop young basketballers, this will be the second year that an 18-under tournament will be held. Based on last year’s results, several athletes from different towns showed promise and had the talents to make good. This will be a good venue for scouts to check potentials.

A slight change on the format was made.   Previously, the four municipalities in the Camotes Island group joined the mainlanders in the elimination round. This proved unfavourable to them since teams from the mainland are obviously superior than those from the islands. San Francisco, Poro, Pilar and Tudela will do their own eliminations this time and the top finisher will join the mainland’s top three for the final four.

Municipalities will also host games so there are even chances for each team to exact revenge on their tormentors, if ever.   And yes, the squad with the most rabid and noisy fans will always have the advantage and Team Sogod leads everyone else in this department. It’s nice to see their SK Federation leading the charge in cheering and getting sore throats.

In the athletes’ perspective, they’re always inspired and motivated whenever the crowd is behind them. Rallies are easier to sustain, leads easier to maintain since the needed support is there. Morale is peaking and chances of winning also high. Ever tried playing before a really hostile crowd? It rattles even seasoned players. This is the beauty of home games.

Just a reminder to fans. In every competition, there will always be winner and losers. We can’t win all the time and likewise, losing is not forever. Let us not be unruly if results don’t come our way. It’s just a game and there’s no point in going berserk over results. 

The islanders together with Compostela, Borbon and Catmon will join forces with traditional powerhouses Danao City, Carmen and Sogod in trying to dethrone defending champion Liloan and take the P50,000 cash prize as well as P1 million worth of projects from Cong. Red’s fund appropriations.

Four games are scheduled on opening day. The four municipalities of Camotes will play the first two matches. The last two matches will have the teams of last year’s final four in a kind of rematch. Carmen goes up against Danao City while the main match features runner-up Sogod versus defending champion Liloan.

Teams will also be parading their respective muses and there will always be beautiful ladies for each municipality to showcase. If you happen to be free this coming Wednesday, do check the games, and the muses at the Danao City Civic Center.

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