Sinulog Cup set Jan. 31

THE STAGE IS set for a basketball extravaganza that will usher in the new year as the Mayor Michael Rama Sinulog Cup 2013 starts on Jan. 31 with a double-header featuring three PBA teams along with the hosts, the multi-titled M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Getting the unenviable task of kicking things off will be the Niños of champion head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, who will be taking on the hungry Alaska Aces, which will feature Cebuano shooter Dondon Hontiveros, former Southwestern University high-flyer Cyrus Baguio, JV Casio and Calvin “The Beast” Abueva.

Alaska is also set to welcome their import for the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup, Robert Dozier. Game time is at 5 p.m.

The second game of the double-header will pit the Petron Blaze Boosters against the country’s crowd darlings the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

This tournament will also welcome the return of Cebu’s latest pride and joy, the 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo, a product of the University of Cebu and former MVP of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi). Fajardo will team up with several stars in Petron’s fold including Alex Cabagnot, Jay Washington, Arwind Santos, Joseph Yeo and import Renaldo Balkman, formerly of the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks,

The Kings will have in tow, reigning league MVP, Mark “The Spark” Caguioa, LA Tenorio, former MVP JJ Helterbrand and import Herbert Hill./Correspondent Jonas Panerio