Panthers to make comeback in CESAFI collegiate hoopla

CEBU, Philippines - After a one-year absence, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers are back in the fold of Cebu's premiere inter-school athletic league.

Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. commissioner Felix 'Boy' O. Tiukinhoy, Jr. confirmed yesterday that the USPF Panthers will see action in the 15th CESAFI men's basketball tournament set to kick off this August at the Cebu Coliseum.

"The decision of the USPF to come back to play for the coming 15th CESAFI basketball is a huge boost to the league in terms of opportunities for college players to play in another team. It will also be good for the fans and students of USPF to have their team in the league. I am glad and happy. Welcome home, USPF," said Tiukinhoy in a statement.

Due to lack of manpower after it got disbanded, the Panthers took a leave of absence in the CESAFI last year. Aside from USPF, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons also skipped the league's 14th season in the juniors division.

With USPF's return, the CESAFI collegiate basketball is now back with seven teams led by defending champion Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras.

The rest of the contenders are the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildcats, University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, and the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters. (FREEMAN)