Monday, January 22, 2007 ICBL cagefest goes to Cebu
FROM the City of Durian to the Queen City of the South.
Such is the story of the Inter-Church Basketball League or ICBL which will travel to Cebu City for its maiden competition in the bustling metropolis from
January 29 to February 4.
Dubbed as the "Davao Meets Cebu Tournament," the cage loop will have Beatitudes Christian Fellowship and River of God as the Davao representatives.
Beatitudes is managed by Eddie Sandoval and Pastor Alex Villanueva, and mentored by Eric Diamse and Pol Legaspi.
The team has vowed to win the championship, although it is going to be an uphill climb considering the quality if Cebu basketball.
Beatitudes will be backed up by University of Mindanao stalwarts Billy Masbate and Alvin Calatayud.
River of God, managed by Pastor Blair Cuares, will be backed up by some players from the Gaisano South Cup College Division 2 Champion Holy Child School Of Davao.
Pastor Gary Visitacion, ICBL Director said preparations are still under way for the tournament in Cebu this month.
"I have been informed by the local organizers that the Cebu teams are looking forward to this league. This is the first ever church based tournament that both cities are represented," Visitacion said in a statement.
"Even our local teams are busy practicing and preparing their teams," he added.
The Cebu teams playing in the tournament are the Al Solis- mentored Aces-Living Word Basketball Team represented by some players from Cebu Tribu Sugbu playing in the National Basketball Conference, Blessed Hope Christian Fellowship, which will be backed up by some players from the Kwarta Padala Lhullier Team from the MVBA league, and The Sonship of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollos C Quiboloy.
"We would like to extend our appreciation to the office of the BAP regional director headed by Mr. Regino Cua for his support and guidance to our organization and the Davao City Mayor's Office together with the Office of the City Sports Division under Mr. Christopher Go," Visitacion said.
Meanwhile, the ICBL-Mayor's Cup 15th Conference will start on February 17 to April 29 at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Only 10 church-teams will be allowed to join the tournament.
