THE question on whether there is still a Cosaa meet this year was finally answered when the Prisaa's rival league opened in a grandiose fashion last Saturday at the Xavier University gym in Cagayan de Oro.
Eleven of the regular 13-school mainstays of the Cagayan de Oro Athletic Association joined the opening ceremony along with its newest member, the Fisher Valley Academy.
"Now on its 6th season, I believe that Cosaa kon maayo lang ang pagdala molahutay og mopatsada pa gyod ang dagan. Kay karon lang nga opening haskang biboha," said St. Mary's School's basketball coach Rene Ilogon.
Doubts cropped up on the league's longevity when Cosaa's founding head Gerardo "Boboy" Sabal "severed" ties with Xavier University as the Ateneo de Cagayan's athletic sports director.
"His sporting career may have suffered a downside after his Xavier U days. But certainly, dili pasagdan ni Boboy ang Cosaa kay iya man gyod na nga brainchild," remarked veteran cage referee, Cesar Jaramillo.
Now under the stewardship of Andrew Acobo of this year's host Capitol University, Cosaa meet produced a sensation in college men's basketball's inaugural show.
Coach Dante Banquerigo's STI (Systems Technology Institute) surprised the favored Xavier University (XU) Crusaders of coach Rocky Calingin, 93-89 in a well-attended match.
The formidable tandem of grizzled fronliners of Datinguinoo and Dahilan were in their usual element. But STI's fivesome of Roberto Tamparong, Rham Jun Handuman, Mark John Daanoy, John Ray Quinal and Archie Quilisadio gave the Crusaders one hell of a fight.
"We practice hard, study and execute very well on our plays especially sa depensa. The boys were also in high spirits kay supportive kaayo among team manager," coach Banquerigo said of STI's chief executive officer Colbert Rabaya.