AUBC caging kicks off today

CEBU, Philippines – Coming off an intense finals showdown in the CESAFI (Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.), the Southwestern University Cobras and the University of San Carlos Warriors renew their rivalry on another stage as the 10th Asian Universities Basketball Championship-Cebu Province International Collegiate Cup takes off today in Bogo City.

The Cobras and the Warriors will take on each other tomorrow yet in Dalaguete town south of Cebu as they are sheduled to tackle separate foes in Bogo tonight. Southwestern U will go up against CESAFI third placer University of the Visayas Green Lancers in the 6:30 p.m. opener, right before USC battles Myongji University of South Korea in the main match at 8 p.m.

The SWU Cobras are still floating in cloud nine following their decisive Game 5 victory over USC to claim this year's CESAFI collegiate basketball title - their second in four straight finals appearance.

The Cobras, however, will miss the services of some key players such as Landry Sanjo, back-to-back MVP awardee Mark Jayven Tallo and Jovannie Luz, but coach Raul 'Yayoy' D. Alcoseba assured they will still be forming a competitive team for the five-day joust.

"The school (SWU) has already made a commitment to participate in the tournament. It's only that we will be playing without the main core of our lineup," said Alcoseba, who himself won't be calling the shots for SWU in the AUBC tilt as he will be in Iloilo being the head of delegation of Cebu Province in the Batang Pinoy Games.

Alcoseba's SWU will have its first meeting against USC in the post-CESAFI season at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Dalaguete. The following day, action shifts to the Minglanilla Sports Complex pitting UV against USC and Myongji versus SWU.

The crossover semifinals will take place on October 25 at the USC-Main Campus gym. The winners will then slug it out for the championship in a winner-take-all affair on Sunday at the same venue.

Organized by Cebu City Sports Commissioner Lorenzo 'Chao' Sy, the AUBC cage wars is supported by the Cebu provincial government under the flagship of Governor Hilario 'Junjun' Davided III in association with Mayors Celestino "Junnie" E. Martinez, Jr. of Bogo, Elanito Peña of Minglanilla, Ronald Cesante of Dalaguete, and Hotel Fortuna. (FREEMAN)