The VisMin Super Cup will be held in this venue — the Alcantara gymnasium. | Contributed Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — As the tipoff draws near, the official venue of the much-awaited Pilipinas Vismin Super Cup in Alcantara town, southwestern Cebu, is nearing the completion of its big renovation.
The sleepy coastal town will be the epicentre of the biggest and only pro basketball league outside the NCR, as nine teams will vie for supremacy in the league.
According to the league’s secretary-general, Chelito Caro, they are now 90 percent complete of their ongoing preparations, mainly focusing on the official venue, Alcantara’s municipal gymnasium.
Read: Alcantara to host Visayas leg of Pilipinas Vismin Super Cup
“Ready na gyud ang venue. By next week mahuman na ang renovation. Ang amo na lang gi trabaho og maayo karon ang permit gikan sa IATF. In fact, ready na jud mi, 90 percent na ready ang tanan,” Caro told CDN Digital.
(The venue is ready. By next wee, the renovation will be done. What we are working now is the permit from IATF. In fact, we are really ready, 90 percent of all the work are done.)
Renovations for the Alcantara gymnasium, which is the venue for the Vismin Super Cup basketball tournament is 90 percent complete. | Contributed photo
The entire league will follow the bubble environment setup which the PBA implemented when it resumed its season last year. The bubble environment setup is designed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
All competing teams will be billeted in the resorts of Alcantara’s adjacent town, Moalboal, which is known for its pristine white-sand beaches.
“Amo gisiguro nga ibutang tanan teams og resorts para pud malingaw sila while naa sila sulod sa bubble. Allowed sila makagamit sa mga amenities sa resorts ilang gistayhan like swimming pools, pero wala mi sure kung pwede sila maligo sa dagat. Besides, gamay ra sad sila og oras para maka unwind kay puro man action sa duwa ilang buhaton sa sulod,” said Caro.
(We made sure to put the teams in resorts so that they will enjoy their stay while they are inside the bubble. They are allowed to use the amenities of the resorts that they will stay in like swimming pools but I am not sure if they are allowed to swim in the beaches. Besides, there is only little time to unwind because they will focusing on their games inside the play venue.)
Read: Talisay Aquastars complete roster for Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup
Recently, the league added three more teams from Tabogon, north Cebu, Dumaguete, Siquijor and the Tubigon-Bohol Mariners for the Visayas leg. Initially, five teams signed up for the league: Kiboy’s Computer Solutions-Mandaue City Eagles, XUR Homes Realty-Eastern Samar, MJAS Zenith-Talisay City Aquastars, ARQ Builders-Lapu Lapu City Heroes, and Danao City.
Read: Cagayan Rafters joins Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup tourney
Caro said that officials from the IATF would be manning the mandatory testing of the teams, players, and league officials before they would be allowed to enter the bubble two weeks before the tipoff.
Also, Caro said that they would be live streaming the games on Facebook aside from airing them on Solar Sports and myTV. However, they have yet to announce where the live streaming will be aired.
/dbs
Read: Champion coach Reyes considers team the underdog in VisMin Super Cup hoops