1st Albay Congressional Cup sets record 161 teams

MANILA, Philippines - One hundred sixty-one  basketball teams involving 1,930 players and 320 coaches are competing in the ongoing first Albay Congressional Cup.

The event is setting a national record by itself in terms of participation.

The Office of Albay Rep. Joey Salceda is sponsoring the event, enlisting the help of 52 referees and a 78-member secretariat.

Launched on April 1 and ending on May 31, the event comprises four categories – Inter-Barangay with juniors and seniors divisions, Inter-Local Government Unit, Inter-Commercial, and Open Category. Daily games are played in participants’ respective venues.

The competition began with a parade from the Daraga Covered Court to the Bicol University Grounds in Legazpi City, with local officials leading the event.

Salceda said the competition would spur more active sports program in his province’s second district with the participation of the entire province.

Sports promotion is among Salceda’s priority programs.

He said the tournament would help promote discipline, prevent dysfunctional activities, and make both local and foreign visitors enjoy summer in Albay.

Salceda said he wants young people and the community to engage in sports and have a healthy lifestyle.

The lawmaker pioneered sports tourism in his province during his nine-year term as governor, hosting, among others, the 2016 Palarong Pambansa, Xterra Phl and Le Tour de Filipinas.