By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The 4th edition of the Chairman’s Cup Negros, in cooperation with the United Negros Basketball League (UNBL), kicks off today at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Covered Court in Bacolod City.
The Chairman’s Cup Basketball Program, or the Chairman’s Cup Philippines, was officially proclaimed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as the biggest provincial basketball league in the Philippines.
This grassroots basketball program, which was started by Robert Uy in Iloilo City, has been focusing on the provincial youth leagues in the Philippines.
The Negros edition will be participated by 21 teams, with nine teams playing in the 17-and-under category.
Twelve teams will slug it out at the 15-and-under level.
Bacolod Tay Tung High School (BTTHS), University of St. La Salle, University of Negros Occidental, San Sebastian International School, the Talisay Sharks, and the Negros Youth Basketball Club will field teams in both categories.
The other 17-and-under teams are C & C Cafe, Team Spartan and Colegio de San Agustin Bacolod, while in the 15-and-under category, the rest of the teams are SP Lineage St. Joseph School La Salle, Trinity Christian School, Team Nonoy’s, the Bobcats, TSIDKENU, and RGG Farms.
The 17-and-under champion will advance to the Chairman’s Cup Philippines and will play other provincial teams’ champions in Iloilo City from June 8 to 12.
The tournament duration will be from May 10 to 18, and the venues will be at the BTTHS Covered Court, Msgr. John Liu Activity Center, SJI Main, and Willy and Nolita Au Court in BTTHS.
After the opening parade today, games will start at 9:00 a.m. and it will feature 10 games to be played on two courts.
According to UNBL President Jun Ballesteros, the main purpose of this tournament is to provide an avenue for all participating teams to compete so that the young basketball players may improve their basketball skills, discipline, mentality, and heart.
This is in line with the UNBL’s advocacy of grassroots development, wherein it seeks to promote the continuous exposure of student athletes in the sport of basketball./ASC, WDJ