After the Monico Cup and Bing’s Mayor’s Cup, here comes another basketball tournament, the 1st Congressman Greg Gasataya Basketball Cup, which kicks off this weekend, April 22, at the STI-West Negros University (STI-WNU) gym.
Earlier this week, Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya; tournament director, City Councilor Dindo Ramos; and tournament commissioner Israel Salanga held a press conference at the GT Hotel attended by barangay captains.
The congressman said he initiated the event in order to provide a venue of fitness and enjoyment for “basketball fanatics,” as well as offer an opportunity for young people to showcase their skills.
According to the congressman, P20,000 will be awarded to the winners of the open tournament, with P15,000 and P10,000 going to second and third place, respectively.
STI-WNU will also award a sports scholarship to the Most Valuable Player.
Ramos also mentioned a total of 26 teams from different barangays have confirmed their participation, and Gasataya’s office would be providing free uniforms.
While summer basketball leagues and clinics are mushrooming across the city, adding another one would not hurt.
It cannot be denied that Bacolod City has many talents in sports, many have brought their skills elsewhere, including the National Capital Region (NCR), Cebu, and Iloilo. Additionally, not only players, but many basketball coaches have also mastered the art of “selling” talents.
Maybe one thing good will come from the Gasataya Cup, a new crop of 12-Under players, ready to be scouted or shipped to NCR universities and colleges, will surface. Meanwhile, the open category will remain open – we’ll wait and see who will be the junior or collegiate stars to be plucked out before the cup is over./WDJ