By ADRIAN STEWART CO
A total of 52 teams from Negros are set to clash in the 4th Acster Cup Pasalamat sa Pag-asenso 2025, a grassroots basketball tournament organized by Acster Marketing Basketball Cup in partnership with the United Negros Basketball League (UNBL).
The tournament tips off on Saturday, May 24, and runs until June 15, featuring young athletes across four age categories: 11-and-under (born 2014 and later), 13-and-under (born 2012 and later), 15-and-under (born 2010 and later), and 18-and-under (born 2007 and later).
Games will be played at two key venues: Willy and Nolita Au Court and Bacolod Tay Tung High School Covered Court.
The opening ceremonies will take place on Saturday, followed by five exciting opening-day matchups at the Willy and Nolita Au Court.
From Sunday, May 25 onwards, tournament play continues daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with three simultaneous games played to accommodate the packed schedule.
Participating teams in Division 11-U are Bacolod Tay Tung High School (BTTHS) – Willtrade, Spartans Basketball, St. Sebastian International School (SSIS), YOPE Meerkats, Kenn/Scorpions, SP Construction Warriors, Stallions, Dela Rama Farms Inc., Talisay Sharks, Daily Grind, Negros Youth Basketball Club, and St. John’s Institute (SJI).
Joining 13-U are BTTHS, Bobcats, SSIS, Stallions, YOPE Meerkats, Kenn/Scorpions, SP Construction Warriors, Bound Diri, SJI, NYBC, Red Owl, and Talisay Sharks.
Battling in 15-U are BTTHS, RGG, Bacolod Trinity Christian School, BTCS, Bobcats, SSIS, Harleyboys, SP Lineage, JJP Sportswear, Equiper Scorpion Kabankalan, Talisay Sharks, Pitbulls, SJI, TSIDKENU, NYBC, and D12 Basketball.
Competing in the 18-U are BTTHS, Spartans Basketball, Notre Dame Talisay, SSIS, Kap Odol Murcia, Distrito Roofing Services (Pitbulls), SJI, Shockwave, D12 Basketball, Bobcats, JJP Sportswear, and UNO-R.
The Acster Cup continues to be a vital platform for youth development in sports, promoting discipline, teamwork and athletic excellence.
With the support of the UNBL and local sponsors, the tournament celebrates both community pride and the growing passion for basketball among Negrense youth./ASC, WDJ