CEBU, Philippines - Barely a month after being tapped to coach the University of Cebu college basketball team, the legendary Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba embarks on his first mission when the Webmasters take part in the St. Isidore Parish Fiesta Invitational Cup 2017 on May 27-29 in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte.
Alcoseba, arguably the winningest coach in the annals of Cebu cagedom, said the three-day joust is an opportunity for him to know his players more as well as gauge the capacity of their team as they brace for a massive buildup in preparation for the upcoming Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) season.
"The invitation to play in Leyte is very timely. It's a chance for me to bond with my players so I can get to know them better and they can get to know me also," said Alcoseba, who has four collegiate championships under his belt and is looking to deliver one for the Webmasters in three year's time.
"More importantly, it's like a training camp for us. A perfect opportunity to take a deeper look at my team and make an assessment especially on their strengths and weaknesses," he added.
As chief strategist of the Webmasters, Alcoseba will have his acid test when they go up against reigning CESAFI champions University of the Visayas Green Lancers, his former team Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras, University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers and the University of San Carlos Warriors in the cash-rich tilt that dangles a total of P260,000 in prize money.
They will play in a single round robin format. The top two teams will then slug it out for the title in a sudden-death match.
The champion will take home a P100,000 bounty, while the second and third placers will pocket P70,000 and P50,000, respectively. Non-winners will receive a consolation prize of P20,000 each.
That is on top of the free hotel accommodation, meals and transportation provided by the organizers led by Saint Bernard LGU under the leadership of Mayor Manuel O. Calapre and St. Isidore Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Joselito C. Catubig. (FREEMAN)