SORRY to disappoint basketball fanatics. The much-awaited De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers-Ateneo de Manila University (Admu) Blue Eagles rivalry will not happen in Davao City as the latter backed out from joining the 80th Araw ng Dabaw Commercial Invitational Basketball Tournament that will kick off on Thursday to Sunday at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center.
Sports Development Division-City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) staff Cholo Elegino, in a phone interview with SunStar Davao, said the Blue Eagles were not permitted to compete here.
The Malacañang Kamao of Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher "Bong" Go will instead replace the team.
"Nag confirm na ang Admu, actually, the team manager and the rest of the team are ready na pero wala parin daw confirmation sa mga pari until dumating na sa deadline namin," Elegino said.
The Green Archers, which will don The Royal Mandaya Hotel (TRMH) colors, will still try to defend its title against Davao City-based Montaña Pawnshop, National University (NU) Bulldogs, University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, Team Pacman and the Malacañang Kamao in the annual event organized by SDD-CMO and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Cash prizes of P100,000, P60,000, P40,000 and P30,000 will be awarded to the top four teams.ABM