Charter Day caging on today: Alaska, Talk ‘N Text and GlobalPort all set to dazzle Cebuano fans

CEBU, Philippines - The Alaska Aces, GlobalPort Batang Pier, and Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters will once again dazzle their diehard Cebuano followers as the 2014 Charter Day Cup Invitational Basketball Tournament gets underway today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Tropang Txters will take on the floor against the Tagoloan Tigers, a commercial ballclub from Misamis Oriental, in the opening match at 6 pm, while the  Aces will square off against the Tropang Texters in the main match at 8 pm.

What makes the three-day joust more exciting is that all the three PBA teams will tag with them their respective imports.               

The Aces of coach Luigi Trillo will again parade the ever reliable Robert Lorenzo Dozier, Jr., the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters will field in Richard Arnold Howell, while the GlobalPort Batang Pier tap the services of Evan Brock.

The 6-foot-9 Dozier was named “Best Import” after steering the Uytengsu-owned franchise to the Commissioner's Cup title last year via a 3-0 sweep of the Brgy. Ginebra Kings, Howell, once played with the Portland Trail Blazers, while Brock had a brief stint with the Atlanta Hawks.

Alaska is again expected to draw wild cheers from fans, partly because of the presence of Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros and Aldrich Ramos, who will play alongside Calvin Abueva, Cyrus Baguio, JV Casino, Sonny Thoss, Nic Belasco, Samigue Eman, Leo Avenido, and rookies Ryan Buenafe and Chris Exciminiano.

GlobalPort could very well be the surprise package considering that Alex Cabagnot will make his debut with the Batang Pier. Aside from finding a new head coach in Pido Jarencio, the Batang Pier also boasts of a high-scoring rookie Terrence Romeo who blends well with Jay Washington, Erik Menk, Justin Chua, Nic Salva,RR Garcia, Kelly Nabong, Enrico Villanueva, Jondan Salvador, Rudy Lingganay, Marvin Hayes and Jewel Ponferada.

On the side of the Tropang Texters, they will squeeze the most from the likes of Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams, KG Canaleta, Danny Seigle, Larry Fonacier, Ryan Reyes and Harvey Carrey.

The pros are expected to face tough challenge from the Tagoloan Tigers powered by a mixture of ex pros and former and present crop of collegiate standouts.

Owned by Tagoloan Mayor Paulino Emano, the Tigers are mentored by Van Halen Parmis, the current assistant coach of reigning CESAFI champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.

The four contenders will play in a single round robin format. The team with the best record will automatically be declared as champion.

Tickets are priced at P50 for general admission, P150 for upperbox, P300 for lowerbox, P400 for stage seats and P500 for ringside.

For reservations and further information, one may text or call 0922-2801830, 0943-2978831, 0917-5273888 or 255-1405 and 402-9419. (FREEMAN)