Towering Malaysian basketball team to compete against local collegiate squads
Cebu basketball is expected to get an international shot in the arm as the Mayor’s Cup International Invitational takes center stage here starting on May 15.
The tournament is once again the brainchild of Cebu City Sports Commission commissioner and longtime sports patron Lorenzo “Chao” Sy.
According to Sy, he is hoping that this competition will allow the local teams to test themselves against an international opponent.
Sy added that the games will be held in several cities across Cebu, although he still is in talks with several mayors.
“With this tournament, the teams can see where they stack up against international competition,” Sy said.
Participating in this tournament are Malaysia, Cesafi runners-up University of San Carlos, the University of Cebu and NCAA squad Mapua Cardinals.
According to renowned rehabilitation medicine specialist Dr. Rhoel Dejano, Malaysia, a team coached by Filipino Paul Advincula, is a team that needs to be taken seriously, something he saw up close and personal when he oversaw their conditioning and training just recently.
“They have exceptional skills although not really on the PBA level. But they have big men, 6’7, 6’8 guys who shoot well from the outside,” he said. “Sa ako panahon didto, puro ra shooting ila gipraktisan.” (During the time I was there, all they did was practice their shooting.)