Sinulog Cup hoops gets rolling today

Games today:
Cebu Coliseum
4:30 p.m. – UC-M. Lhuillier vs Cebu Landmasters-Bogo City
6 p.m. – Marinerong Pilipino vs UV-SG-ARQ Builders

Cebu’s basketball scene gets a much-needed jolt of exciting action as the Cebu City Sinulog Cup Basketball Invitational gets underway with a double-header this afternoon at the Cebu Coliseum.

The University of Cebu (UC)-M. Lhuillier opens things up with a match against the high-powered Cebu Landmasters-Bogo City at 4:30 p.m. while the reigning Cesafi champions University of the Visayas (UC)-SG-ARQ Builders tests the mettle of the visiting PBA D-League squad the Marinerong Pilipino Skippers at 6 p.m.

The games will commence after the brief opening ceremony at 4 p.m.

UC’s multi-titled head coach Yayoy Alcoseba will be trotting out a lineup composed of the core of the squad that placed runner-up in the Cesafi collegiate wars last year with few key additions.

The M. Lhuillier-backed team added more firepower to its backcourt with the inclusion of John Lloyd Luz and former PBA Draft pick Joseph Nalos.

The two court generals previously played for Alcoseba at Southwestern University-Phinma. UC is also welcoming another foreign player to its roster in 6-foot-10 Las Montana, who is expected to combine forces with formidable forward from Cameroon Frederick Elombi.

Alcoseba disclosed that they would be trying to utilize their speed against their opponents in this tournament.

“We’re young, so we’ll be a running team. I expect our boys to display teamwork and that never-say-die attitude,” said Alcoseba.

UC will need every advantage it can get against a Cebu Landmasters team that won’t be lacking for weapons in its arsenal after tapping the services of former PBA players Jojo Tangkay and Rene Pacquiao to team up with Mark Ababon, John Abad, Ferdinand Lusdoc and William McAloney.