CEBU, Philippines - All roads lead to the newly-inaugurated Cebu Coliseum today as the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. Season 15 gets underway with another grandiose ceremony.
Expected to grace the affair that will promptly start at 1 p.m. is PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa, the newly-appointed PBA commissioner, and Cebuano basketbal superstar JuneMar Fajardo, a proud product of the CESAFI who will be honored with a Special Award.
The other highlights of the kick-off bash is the traditional "Dance Palabas' featuring a variety of production numbers from various schools and the selection of the 2015 Miss CESAFI from both high school and college divisions.
Fr. Cristopher Maspara, OAR of the University of San Jose-Recoletos will deliver the welcome remarks, while CESAFI President Fr. Manny Uy, SJ of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu will formally declare the tournament open.
This season also marks for the first time that the games will be aired on national television through Viva Sports and IBC 13.
"This breakthrough undertaking will surely be a big boost to the growth and development of the league," said CESAFI commissioner Felix 'Boy' O. Tiukinhoy in relation to the league's TV partnership deal with Viva Sports.
Games will commence right after the program, with the USJ-R Bay Jaguars taking on the University of Cebu Juniors Webmasters in the season-opener at 4 p.m. Their collegiate counterparts will collide in the main match at 5:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the newly-refurbished Cebu Coliseum will formally be blessed and inaugurated at 10 a.m. today. It now boasts of a new flooring and better lighting facility to answer the public clamor for an improvement of Cebu's largest basketball arena in terms of seating capacity. The event will be graced by co-owners Frederick "Lama" Ong and UC President Atty. Augusto W. Go, UC chaplain Fr. Lydio Felizarta, Atty. Baldomero 'Merong' C. Estenzo, all the CESAFI athletic directors and other guests. (FREEMAN)