Coke PBA Youngstars tournament to kick off May 3

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Basketball Association and Coca-Cola have tied up to hold the Coca Cola-PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament, a gathering for up and coming basketball prospects this summer. The Cebu leg of this nationwide tournament kicks off on May 3 and ends on May 13.

Eight teams have signified their intent to join the 10-day tilt during a coaches meeting hosted by Cebu City Councilor Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba.

Expected to see action are reigning back-to-back national Passerelle champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and SBP Under-16 national champion University of the Visayas (UV). Also invited to join are Cebu Eastern College, University of San Carlos-North and South, Thumbs Up, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of Cebu, University of San Jose-Recoletos, and Medellin Secondary Schools Athletic Association.

The tournament is nationwide in scope for teams with players 13 to 16 years old. Each team will be composed of three players each of the four ages: 13, 14, 15 and 16 years old.

There are four regions with 12 provincial local tournaments aside from Metro Manila. These are the Northern Luzon region of Pangasinan, Pampanga and Isabela. The Southern Luzon region is composed of Laguna, Cavite and Batangas. The Visayas features Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo. Mindanao has Davao, Cagayan de Oro and General Santos.

Each province will hold its local tournament, with the provincial champion moving to the regional finals from May 19-20. The Visayas Regional Finals will be held in Bacolod City.

The four regional champions and top two teams from Metro Manila will then face off in the national finals from May 27-June 1.

The event has the full support of the PBA with its technical team lending a hand. A TV crew from AKTV is also due to record activities of the tournament, starting with the simulated try-outs on April 28. (FREEMAN)