THE University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters is upbeat about playing in the 82nd Araw ng Davao Sports Festival basketball invitational tournament slated March 18 to 21 at Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center (DCRC).
UC head coach Yayoy Alcoseba, in a phone interview with SunStar Davao Monday, March 11, said, "It's an honor to be invited to the Araw ng Davao. It would be a good exposure for the school and the team."
He, however, said he'll bring a team for next school year's season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi).
"It's a very raw team. Since its' the end of the school year. Others graduated already. Basically we have new players left, half of it. Another half are all new," the seasoned coach said, adding that their team is arriving on March 18. Games will start at 5 p.m. on the same day in the free admission cagefest that will also feature the De La Salle Univeristy (DLSU) Green Archers, University of the East (UE) Red Warriors and NCAA runner-up Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU) Pirates.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) regional director Glenn Escandor, in a press briefing, said he hopes Dabawenyos would enjoy the games of the league that is part of the city-funded sportsfest.
Escandor said, "Sana maraming manood, malalakas din ang mga teams."
A total cash prize of P270,000, courtesy of the city government of Davao, is at stake for the four teams competing. The champion team will receive P100,000 while the next three placers will claim P60,000, P40,000 and P30,000 excluding VAT.
A cash prize of P20,000 each will be awarded to the most valuable player (MVP) and best coach.
Dan Saguilo of the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) earlier said spectators must be early since the gym has limited seats.
He also said that security personnel will be deployed around and inside the vicinity of the venue to secure guest teams and those who will watch the games.