CEBUANO Jacob Lagman, the US NCAA Division I star, goes against some of the best in the men’s elite open of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) Olivarez Cup today at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.
Lagman is expected to have his hands full against a group of veteran and youthful opponents in the 64-men field led by fellow Cebuano Johnny Arcilla, PJ Tierro and the redemption-seeking Jan Godfrey Seno, who absorbed a heartbreaking final loss in the juniors’ play last Thursday.
Meanwhile, Cebuana Hanna Espinosa, who last played in February, returns to the court as she heads the loaded women’s cast composed of sisters Clarice and Christine Patrimonio, Marian Capadocia and last year’s champion Khim Iglupas.
The tournament will also present an inter-school tournament, featuring 16 teams from the men’s division and eight teams from the women’s side.
Among the competing schools in the men’s event are the Jose Rizal University, Arellano University and Perpetual Help while the Ateneo de Manila University, led by Cebuana Jana Pages and San Sebastian College will headline the women’s play.