Two Cebu teams raring to go in upcoming regional Country Wide Basketball League
With the Country Wide Basketball League (CWBL) set to open in less than a month, Cebu’s teams are gearing up to raise their respective cities’ banners up high.
The brand new league is set to open on August 6, but Cebu City and its team, the M. Lhuillier-backed Cebu Niños, will have their first hosting on September 1 and 2, according to the Niños’ multi-titled head coach, Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba.
Alcoseba and the rest of his coaching staff are already in the final stages of finalizing their lineup. The veteran mentor said that he would name his core players this Saturday. He also shared that he is currently in negotiations with two former pros, namely former University of San Jose-Recoletos standout Roger Yap and deadeye shooter, Sunday Salvacion.
As for the rest of the team, it is comprised of a healthy mix of youthful talent led by former University of the Visayas aces John Abad and Edrian Lao.
Meanwhile, the other Cebu team, the Cebu Landmasters-Bogo City, are hard at work in their preparations for the competition.
Head Coach Jun Tan said he has yet to finalize his roster but already has a clear idea of who his core will be.
The Bogo squad will be led by former pro Reed Juntilla and Mark Jonas Ababon, who ironically flourished under the tutelage of Alcoseba in the Niños a few years back.
Tan also added he is still negotiating with several other players including Cebuano guard, Rob Labagala and another former pro, Denok Miranda.
The Cebu teams will be up against some tough teams headed by Anak ng Laguna, Pacman-General Santos of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, Flying V-Davao and Mighty Sports-Bulacan.
Regional competition is the unique feature of CWBL. The teams will play under Fiba (amateur) rules in a double-round robin eliminations to determine the four teams that will make the playoffs. The league will have the home team playing two straight games in its homecourt every Thursday and Friday, with all the games to be carried by ABS-CBN Sports and Action. The CWBL will hold three conferences each season.