The UP Cebu men’s basketball team during the SCUAA Region 7 meet. | Photo from UP Cebu Facebook page
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu men’s basketball team got their first taste of real hardcourt competition after vying in the 2023 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Region 7 meet in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental last week.
The newly-formed Fighting Maroons basketball squad were the favorites in the meet, but they came up short when as they lost to the Negros Oriental Regional State University (NORSU), 74-72.
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Although they didn’t achieve their goal in the SCUAA Region 7 meet, multi-titled coach Rommel Rasmo told his players to keep their heads up as it was a much-needed experience to prepare them for the bigger league — the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) 2023 season that kicks off on Saturday, September 23.
“I was satisfied with our experience. Gusto namin manalo, of course, pero wala na akong hihingin sa mga bata. It was a good experience for our preparation for the upcoming Cesafi season,” said Rasmo.
Unlike his bread and butter, the reigning Cesafi high school basketball champions and Palarong Pambansa gold medalists, the Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC), Rasmo revealed that he started from scratch in forming UP-Cebu’s basketball squad.
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Despite falling short for the gold medal in the SCUAA meet, Rasmo credited his rookie team for reaching the finals.
“Magaling din ang NORSU, waiting kami sa SCUAA with a twice-to-beat advantage, pero hindi kami nanalo. It was not bad for the team who had their first competition. At least nakatulong ito para sa Cesafi season namin,” Rasmo said.
He revealed that they would’ve performed better if not for the absence of five of his key players who weren’t with the team during the SCUAA meet.
These players were recruited by Rasmo from San Fernando in south Cebu, Butuan City, and Danao City.
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Rasmo, who didn’t name these players, said that they are not yet eligible to suit up for UP-Cebu until next season as part of Cesafi’s residency rules.
“I think it’s part of the birth pains of forming a new team. It’s a normal process for the entire team. But I’m very happy because we had eight tune-up games already plus may 13 games kami sa SCUAA. I just hope na ma timing namin yung pag peak ng team namin during our first season sa Cesafi,” Rasmo said.