CEBU, Philippines — The Mair Construction-backed University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters will try to accomplish what they failed last year as they travel back to Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur for the 2019 Mayor Kim Lope A. Asis Invitational Basketball Tournament starting tomorrow at the sprawling Lope Asis Memorial Gymnasium.
During the 2018 edition of the annual cagefest, the Webmasters were only 46 seconds away from clinching the championship when they seize the lead, 83-82, but Renzo Subido broke their hearts by drilling in a booming 3-pointer before Marvin Lee and Nat Cosejo went 3-of-4 from the foul line to deliver the crown for the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers.
With that heart-rending loss already a thing of the past for them, the Webmasters take another shot at the coveted title but decorated coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba admitted that it would be a tall order for them.
“We are a relatively new team,” said Alcoseba, undoubtedly the winningest coach in the history of Cebu basketball. “Nine of my players are all rookies. That is why our main purpose of coming to Bayugan is not only give them the needed exposure playing against tough teams from Manila but also help them get used to our system.”
“But of course, we will compete.”
Alcoseba has only two holdovers from his previous roster in Darrell Shane Menina and John Calvin Jabello.
Versatile import Frederick Elombi is also no longer with the team.
This time around, the Webmasters will parade a new foreign student-athlete in Tosh Sesay from Sierra Leone.
They also have the sharp-shooting Tristan Albina, who previously suited up for the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, and former high school star Luigi Gabisan to fortify their offensive arsenal.
“We will fight hard and hopefully take another crack at the championship,” assured Alcoseba.
The Webmasters will open their campaign on Wednesday’s opening day against the ARQ Builders-backed Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws.
The other entry from Cebu, the Vincare Pharma-sponsored Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras, will go up against HMMED Enterprise-Cagayan de Oro selection.
Madyaw Construction/Valenzuela Classic completes the five-team tilt that is among the highlights of Bayugan’s 12th Charter Day and Bayug Festival celebrations.
The contenders will play a single round robin. The top two teams will dispute the title in a knockout match, while the No.3 and No.4 will battle for third place.
On top of trophies, the champion will pocket P200,000, while the second to fourth placers take home P150,000, P100,000, P75,000 and P50,000, respectively.
All games will be streamed live on the official Facebook page of Bayugan LGU and the Community Basketball Association through the initiative of CBA founder Carlo Maceda and tournament organizer Van Halen Parmis.
“The City Council as a whole and united have the eagerness and willingness to participate in these momentous events,” said outgoing Bayugan City Mayor Kim Lope A. Asis. “It has been our commitment to provide the Bayuganons an entertainment they deserve while at the same time showcase the beauty of our place in line with our sports tourism program.” (FREEMAN)