CEU, UST seeded to challenge for 1st BBI U25 women's title

MANILA, Philippines – The women’s teams of Centro Escolar University and the University of Santo Tomas are seeded to battle for the inaugural Breakdown Basketball Invitationals Under-25 women’s basketball crown when it tips off this Sunday, January 28, at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center in Quezon City.

Seven teams will compete in this grassroots program’s first foray into women’s basketball – Adamson, CEU, College of St. Benilde, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the East, University of the Philippines, and UST.

“This is a start for us and is our way of helping develop women’s basketball,” said tournament director Gil Salandanan. “We hope to get bigger not only in the National Capital region but also in the provinces.”

Salandanan intimated working with Ateneo de Davao University Athletic Director Noli Ayo in creating a larger arena for the women’s game.

“But we’re working on that,” he said.

UST, coached by Haydee Ong with former Adamson Lady Falcons star and coach Emelia Vega and former national player Joan Grajales, will count on Sai Larosa, Ruby Portillo, Ilondra Rivera, Kikay Gandilla and Tin Capilit to lead their BBI campaign.

Ernani Epondulan’s CEU Lady Scorpions also have a solid first five with Rosemarie Gayo, Arlain Galgo, Stephanie Ventura, Jenina Solis and Mercy Lawan.

CSB is also expected to compete with head coach Karl Santos fielding players like Jaypee Gula, Lovely Bueno, Shy Sigua, Nessa Antiquera and Jia Mendoza.

Kenneth Raval’s Fighting Lady Maroons lists Lourdes Ordoveza, Pat Ongsiako, Gene Amar, Mela Bascon and Kim Tan as players he will bank on for the tournament. 

The women’s matches will be shown on livestream via Smart Breakdown Basketball Invitational’s Facebook page.

“This is the first tournament and we will also have another around summer time,” added BBI founder Jay Adevoso. “I think since many schools will more or less have their line-ups for the next collegiate season in place, we will see more participants.”

Added Salandanan, “This particular cup will run for seven weeks. If we get lucky as a league, we could see one or two of these teams competing in the provinces in a bigger tournament.”