CFBJ Mayor’s Cup opens today if weather won’t turn ugly

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

5 p.m.- CM Farm vs. UV

7 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. GlobalPort

IF weather permits, the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ)/Mayor’s Cup basketball tournament will push through today at the Cebu Coliseum.

The tournament was officially launched yesterday in a press conference at the GV Tower Hotel in downtown Cebu City attended by CFBJ officials led by president Elias Baquero. Also present were coaches and players of the CM Farm, which will go up against PBA teams GlobalPort Batang Pier and Barako Bull Energy Colas.

The Alaska Aces were supposed to see action in the three-day joust but backed out at the last minute. Filling the void vacated by Alaska are the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, the newly-crowned Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi).

The Van Halen Parmis-coached CM Farm vowed to put up a competitive fight against the three professional squads.

“We’ve beaten Alaska in a tournament in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur. We eventually won the championship in that tournament. It shows that this team has what it takes to beat the three PBA teams,” said Parmis, who will rely on former PBA players Mark Andaya, Ardy Larong and reinforcements from collegiate teams.

CM Farm initially tapped as reinforcements Cameroonian players Steve Akumo of the University of the Visayas, Ahmed Salihon of the University San Carlos and Douglas Ndjapa of the University of the East. UV’s flashy guard John Abad will also suit up for CM Farm.

It was not immediately known if the three UV players will still play for CM Farm after the Green Lancers decided to join the tournament in lieu of Alaska.

The three PBA teams is using the pocket tournament as part of their preparation for the upcoming All-Filipino Cup which opens on Nov. 17.

Ticket prizes are pegged at P500 (courtside), P400 (stage, reserved seats), P300 (lower box), P200 (upper box) and P50 (general admission). The three-day joust is supported by Enya Ideals, Cebu City Government and the Cebu City Sports Commission.

Proceeds of the tournament will go to CFBJ whose members are composed of various beat reporters, photographers and cameramen in Cebu. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA