Cebu Basketball in 2008
Bleacher Talk
December 21, 2008
Cebu Basketball in 2008
As we look back at Cebu Basketball in 2008, we can say that we’re happy with what we saw. While there were some “expecteds,” there also was a pleasant surprise coming out of a sector that was relatively quiet, until now. As predicted by many, the CESAFI basketball tournament was the biggest show of local basketball, outshining all other local tournaments. M. Lhuillier’s jewels shone again, as they always do in the semipro circuit. But the biggest albeit not so loud surprise came from the youth sector.
It was another banner year for the CESAFI where the UV Lancers won its eighth straight championship by defeating the USJR Jaguars, 4-1, in a championship series that broke all previous records in terms of attendance and following. The 2008 season broke 2007’s previous records with many elimination round and playoff games drawing sell-out crowds. Sophomore Greg Slaughter literally stood out above everyone else, bagging the MVP award, showing tremendous improvement from his so-so rookie year of 2007. UC, however, stopped UV from total domination as it defeated the Baby Lancers in five games to claim the high school division championship.
The bad news coming out from the CESAFI was how all three teams that made it to the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Championship (Champions’ League) bombed out in the first round, losing to UAAP or NCAA teams. This only proves that Cebu is somehow being left behind by the Manila brand of play, something that needs to be addressed asap.
The other big show of the year was ML Kwarta Padala/Cebu City winning the inaugural season of the Liga Pilipinas, the merger league of the two groups of regional leagues of the previous years (NBC & MVBA). In the same way that UV is almost always a sure win in the CESAFI, M. Lhuillier’s jewels shone anew, showing that it’s the best semi-pro team outside of Manila. At the rate they’re going, the tandem of Michel Lhuillier and Yayoy Alcoseba will have to build a bigger trophy room to make room for all their future awards. Only two questions surround the ballclub’s future. When will it invade the bigger leagues like the PBL or the PBA, and when will it “not win” regional championship?
This corner has a soft spot in its heart for the youth sector which has gotten a big boost, thanks to an almost all-year round calendar of activities. Although these went “unscripted,” everything went smoothly with each tournament complementing one another and not competing against each other. Although this sector doesn’t get as much media mileage as the collegiate and semipro circuits, it’s undeniably one of the most important segments that needs more support. After all, this serves as the foundation of Cebu’s future in basketball. We’ve already seen from the Manila example how many of today’s brightest collegiate and pro players grew up through the ranks of the many youth tournaments and clinics being run in Manila.
Early in the year, the Cebu Youth Basketball League (CYBL) was born after some basketball parents got together for a round of beer. They had seen the need for follow-up activities to the BEST Center SBP/Passerelle tournament and thus the CYBL arose. The USC basketball program dominated the CYBL’s inaugural tournament, with USC North defeating Sacred Heart School Jesuit in the 12-Under age group, while USC South nipped UC in the 15-Under bracket.
In the summer, the CVIRAA team composed of players from USC NC, SHJS, Don Bosco, USC South and Dumaguete won the silver medal in the Palarong Pambansa which was held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The Milo-sponsored BEST SBP/Passerelle twin tournament had a change of leadership/organizer for Cebu, but the outcome wasn’t a surprise with the youth powerhouses coming out on top. USC North won the SBP championship over Don Bosco, while SHSJ defeated USC North to win the Passerelle championship. The Eagles went on to win the Visayas Passerelle championship over Ateneo de Iloilo, and placed second to La Salle Greenhills in the national finals.
The Futures Basketball League (FBL) then followed suit, featuring three divisions: 10-Under, 13-Under and 16-Under. SHSJ won over Don Bosco to win the 10-Under division. USC North defeated SHSJ win the 13-Under division, while sister school USC South crushed CIT in the 16-Under championship game.
All these youth-based activities showed that Cebu Basketball’s youth are now very much assured of activities all-year round, something that we need very badly to keep up with the rest of the country. Other local activities involving the youth are the National Basketball Training Center’s NBTC Developmental League which is ongoing and will run until mid-2009.
That was Cebu Basketball in 2008. For the first time in a long time, it looks like we’re now filled with basketball action from top to bottom. It was certainly a good year with more hopes of being even better in 2009.
oOo
Time-out: Happy birthday to Hon. Venci del Mar of the City of Naga! >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
December 21, 2008
Cebu Basketball in 2008
As we look back at Cebu Basketball in 2008, we can say that we’re happy with what we saw. While there were some “expecteds,” there also was a pleasant surprise coming out of a sector that was relatively quiet, until now. As predicted by many, the CESAFI basketball tournament was the biggest show of local basketball, outshining all other local tournaments. M. Lhuillier’s jewels shone again, as they always do in the semipro circuit. But the biggest albeit not so loud surprise came from the youth sector.
It was another banner year for the CESAFI where the UV Lancers won its eighth straight championship by defeating the USJR Jaguars, 4-1, in a championship series that broke all previous records in terms of attendance and following. The 2008 season broke 2007’s previous records with many elimination round and playoff games drawing sell-out crowds. Sophomore Greg Slaughter literally stood out above everyone else, bagging the MVP award, showing tremendous improvement from his so-so rookie year of 2007. UC, however, stopped UV from total domination as it defeated the Baby Lancers in five games to claim the high school division championship.
The bad news coming out from the CESAFI was how all three teams that made it to the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Championship (Champions’ League) bombed out in the first round, losing to UAAP or NCAA teams. This only proves that Cebu is somehow being left behind by the Manila brand of play, something that needs to be addressed asap.
The other big show of the year was ML Kwarta Padala/Cebu City winning the inaugural season of the Liga Pilipinas, the merger league of the two groups of regional leagues of the previous years (NBC & MVBA). In the same way that UV is almost always a sure win in the CESAFI, M. Lhuillier’s jewels shone anew, showing that it’s the best semi-pro team outside of Manila. At the rate they’re going, the tandem of Michel Lhuillier and Yayoy Alcoseba will have to build a bigger trophy room to make room for all their future awards. Only two questions surround the ballclub’s future. When will it invade the bigger leagues like the PBL or the PBA, and when will it “not win” regional championship?
This corner has a soft spot in its heart for the youth sector which has gotten a big boost, thanks to an almost all-year round calendar of activities. Although these went “unscripted,” everything went smoothly with each tournament complementing one another and not competing against each other. Although this sector doesn’t get as much media mileage as the collegiate and semipro circuits, it’s undeniably one of the most important segments that needs more support. After all, this serves as the foundation of Cebu’s future in basketball. We’ve already seen from the Manila example how many of today’s brightest collegiate and pro players grew up through the ranks of the many youth tournaments and clinics being run in Manila.
Early in the year, the Cebu Youth Basketball League (CYBL) was born after some basketball parents got together for a round of beer. They had seen the need for follow-up activities to the BEST Center SBP/Passerelle tournament and thus the CYBL arose. The USC basketball program dominated the CYBL’s inaugural tournament, with USC North defeating Sacred Heart School Jesuit in the 12-Under age group, while USC South nipped UC in the 15-Under bracket.
In the summer, the CVIRAA team composed of players from USC NC, SHJS, Don Bosco, USC South and Dumaguete won the silver medal in the Palarong Pambansa which was held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
The Milo-sponsored BEST SBP/Passerelle twin tournament had a change of leadership/organizer for Cebu, but the outcome wasn’t a surprise with the youth powerhouses coming out on top. USC North won the SBP championship over Don Bosco, while SHSJ defeated USC North to win the Passerelle championship. The Eagles went on to win the Visayas Passerelle championship over Ateneo de Iloilo, and placed second to La Salle Greenhills in the national finals.
The Futures Basketball League (FBL) then followed suit, featuring three divisions: 10-Under, 13-Under and 16-Under. SHSJ won over Don Bosco to win the 10-Under division. USC North defeated SHSJ win the 13-Under division, while sister school USC South crushed CIT in the 16-Under championship game.
All these youth-based activities showed that Cebu Basketball’s youth are now very much assured of activities all-year round, something that we need very badly to keep up with the rest of the country. Other local activities involving the youth are the National Basketball Training Center’s NBTC Developmental League which is ongoing and will run until mid-2009.
That was Cebu Basketball in 2008. For the first time in a long time, it looks like we’re now filled with basketball action from top to bottom. It was certainly a good year with more hopes of being even better in 2009.
oOo
Time-out: Happy birthday to Hon. Venci del Mar of the City of Naga! >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
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