4th Partner's Cup blasts off this pm

CEBU, Philippines - A heavy quadruple bill will kick off the fourth season of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Partner's Cup this afternoon at the Cebu Coliseum.

The games, which will adapt the "barangayan system" for the first time, will be opened up by the grudge rematch between the Enervon C-sponsored University of Cebu (UC) Junior Webmasters and the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers-PTT Oil. The two slugged it out for the third place honors in last year's CESAFI cage wars.

After the UV-UC showdown, the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors will take on the floor against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars at 2:30 pm.

This marks for the first time that high school teams are taking part in the Partner's Cup.

In the collegiate battle, the PTT Oil-backed nine-time CESAFI titlist UV Green Lancers will square off against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF)/Lion-Tiger, while the USJ-R/Ave Maria Sanctuary Park will test the USC-San Marino Corned Tuna in the main match at 5:30 pm.

Defending champion Southwerstern University (SWU) Cobras have earlier pulled the plug on their entry in the Partner's Cup due to the brewing animosity between CESAFI commissioner Felix O' Tiukinhoy, Jr. and SWU athletic director Ryan P. Aznar.

Meanwhile, under the barangayan format, each team is required to field in five players without any substitution up to the third period. Shuffling of players are allowed only in the final quarter.

This format is being introduced to create balance as well as to give the players enough exposure especially the second and third stringers.

Also, each team is permitted to hire at least three reinforcements except for UV and UC being the top two finishers in the 2009 CESAFI season. (GGM)   (FREEMAN NEWS)