WINNERS of the recent LGU-DepEd hoopfest will get a chance to become champion twice in just few weeks' span of the exciting inter-school basketball, featuring the top elementary and secondary hoop teams from the private and public schools in Cagayan de Oro.
All ready to take the challenge are the City Central School (CCS) Stingers of coach Jaypee Jumamoy, the Corpus Christi School (CCS) Lady Knights of coach Catrina June Pong-Biongcog and the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) Cavaliers of coach Jayson Cagmat.
After lording it over in the LGU-DepEd Finals, the wards of Jumamoy,
Biongcog ang Cagmat will try to sustain the momentum as they do battle anew in the championship round of the CDOC Inter-Public Basketball 4th Season on Saturday, March 7, at the Nazareth gym.
The CSC Stingers, behind the 13 points each from Mc Ivan Mabalos and Fredrich John Loking, surprised the fancied Corpus Christi Baby Knights, 59-56 in their title showdown for the LGU-DepEd's elementary crown.
This time around, the Stingers will have the West City Central School (WCCS) as their final opponent.
"Medyo bug-at ang Corpus Christi Baby Knights nga ilang gipeldi some few weeks ago. So, pabor kaayo sa city Central Stingers nga mag-champion pag-usab," said tournament director Raul Fuentes.
Catrina's CCS Lady Knights are also favored to repeat over the MOGCHS' Lady Cavaliers, the same opponent that they ran over in the LGU-DepEd caging, 48-38, for the secondary girls' title.
The Lady Knights will have the formidable foursome of Alicia Margaret Villanueva, Razzyla Jane Lubrico, Xaniah Ebajay and Ma. Giordana Tagarda to counter the Lady Cavs' explosive duo of Alonah Danica Salcedo and Agad.
Deemed to face a stiff opposition, however, are the vast-improved charges of coach Cagmat in the 17-under boys championship.
Although they managed to pull a 62-58 upset over the heavyweight Assumption Montessori School (AMS) Jaguars in their last titular campaign, the Cavaliers' mettle will be put to hard test opposite the Opol NSTS Dolphins that fared well during the Misamis Oriental NBTC League in Tagoloan town.
Also taking centerstage on Saturday, March 7, are the AMS Jaguars and the Merry Child Centurions who will fight it out for the 15-under boys' plum before the 2:30 p.m. friendly match between the Vice Mayor Kikang Uy Team and DepEd CDO Ballclub.