Mandaue, Consolacion begin Gov. Cup North Division finals today

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue, by far the only undefeated team, is beyond question the heavy favorite when it takes on Consolacion in the best-of-three North Division Finals of 2017 Cebu Governor's Cup Under-21 Inter-Cities and Municipalities Basketball Tournament starting today at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Game time is set at 7 p.m.

Carrying a 2-0 lead in head-to-head record against Consolacion, the Mandauehanons will step inside the hardcourt as the topdog again owing to their formidable lineup packed with All-Star players from the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) led by versatile center Jancork Cabahug from the University of the Visayas.

Cabahug is a doubtful starter though as he has just recovered from a hamstring injury.

Granting Cabahug cannot see action, Mandaue still parades a scary roster composed of Christopher Isabelo of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Alje Mendez, JB Damolo and Ken Gato of Don Bosco Technology Center and Froilan Mangubat, the former University of Cebu standout who is now with the University of San Carlos.

Consolacion, on the other hand, will heavily depend on their UV Lancers combo of JC Escalona and Froiland Maglasang and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu sharpshooter Patrick Yu.  Expected to back them up are the likes of Emmanuel Villamor and Cyril Sabellana among others.

Game 2 is scheduled June 26 at the Consolacion Sports Complex while Game 3, if necessary, heads back to Mandaue on June 28.

As of  this writing last night, Minglanilla and Dalaguete were still battling it out in the opener of their best-of-three series for the South Division title. Game 2 is set on Sunday at the Dalaguete municipal gym while Game 3, if needed, returns to Minglanilla on June 27.

After the series, the division champs will clash for the coveted crown also in a race-to-2 affair. The grand champion will take home P500,000, while the runner-up will receive P300,000. (FREEMAN)