ASPA, Prycegas start strong in Casals Village hoopla

CEBU, Philippines - Teams ASPA and Prycegas LPG got off to flying starts in the 2016 Casals Village Homeowners Association, Inc. Summer Basketball League, which kicked off last Saturday at the sprawling Casals Village gym in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

The spirited cagers of ASPA opened their championship bid with an 85-72 thrashing of Dex Lab Disciple, while Prycegas LPG cruised to a 59-52 victory over Shaika.

Prior to the season-opening games, the crowd were entertained by an exhibition match that saw the San Remigio Properties of playing team owner Mark Anthony Ynoc prevailing over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers, 52-43.

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and US-based Cebuano NBA trainer/coach Jefferson Codera, who is a member of the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors' training camp, were on hand to grace the simple opening ceremony together with the officers of Casals Village Home Owners Association led by their president Engineer Ernesto Giduquio.

A total of nine teams are seeing action in the tournament that offers a total of P30,000 in cash prizes to the top finishers.

They will play in a single round robin format, with the top four advancing into the crossover semifinals. The top two qualifiers will enjoy twice-to-beat incentives over the lower-ranked squads. The winners will then face off each other in a sudden-death title duel.

The champion will pocket P15,000, while the second and third placers will take home P10,000 and P5,000, respectively. (FREEMAN)