Cebu teams give student
caging cold shoulder

EXCEPT for University of the Visayas, all Cebu-based teams invited to join the 61st National Students Basketball Championship organized by the Basketball Association of the Philippines have given the tournament a cold shoulder, leaving organizers with a thin field of just 14 teams in the seniors division.

Raul Alcoseba, BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas regional director for Cebu, yesterday said the BAP faced difficulty organizing its pet tournament after the withdrawal of nearly all Cebu-based teams a day before the opening rites.

A former ally of BAP secretary-general Graham Lim, Alcoseba, who joined the SBP last year, took the opportunity to confirm his loyalty to the cage body organized by the international basketball federation (FIBA) and its president, Manny Pangilinan.

"We’re not participating because the tournament just widens the rift between the SBP and the BAP," said Alcoseba, speaking on behalf of the Cebu Schools Athletic Association Inc. "We also have our own tournament in November so I don’t see the use of joining there.

"The SBP is the organization recognized by FIBA, so what’s the use of joining a tournament is not enjoying the recognition of the world-governing body?"

Cebu-based teams, including those from the Visayas Amateur Athletic Association opted to pull out. Powerhouse UV, led by BAP hardliner Eduardo Gullas, is the reigning champion of CESAFI.

Alcoseba confirmed that University of San Carlos, Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology, and Asian Institute of Technology joined the withdrawal list while Southwestern University was having difficulty making a stand. There are reports, however, that Southwestern eventually joined the tourney.

"I don’t think it would be successful, especially with the absence of top-caliber teams from the UAAP and NCAA," Alcoseba said.