3 PBA teams to play in Cebu-Leyte Cup charity event

Organizers and players of the upcoming Cebu-Leyte Cup basketball tournament headed by former Cebu First District representative Eduardo “Eddiegul” Gullas (fifth from left) gather for a press conference at Cafe Breeze at the Bayfront Hotel. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

THREE teams from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will spice up the Cebu-Leyte Cup, a basketball tournament that will be held in southern Leyte and Cebu.

The event starts with a charity game on Sept. 24 in Leyte with the tournament proper slated Sept. 25 to 28.

The Barangay Ginebra Kings, Meralco Bolts and Barako Bull Energy Colas will go up against Goldstar Hardware Davao and the Panalay Tailoring Cebu-backed Sam Sam Gullas in the tournament that will also serve as a charity event.

The first three days of the tournament, dubbed as the Roger G. Mercado Cup, will be held in southern Leyte. The next two  will be in Minglanilla and Mandaue City, respectively.

The tournament, which was officially launched in a press conference yesterday at Cafe Breeze of the newly opened Bayfront Hotel, will start with a charity game on Sept. 24, pitting Goldstar Hardware of team owner Winston Ho against the Panalay Tailoring Cebu-backed Sam Sam Gullas at 6 p.m. at the Baybay Gym in Baybay City, Leyte.

On the same day, players from Ginebra and Barako Bull will distribute relief goods to residents who were affected by last year’s supertyphoon Yolanda.

Tournament proper starts Sept. 25 at the Hinundayan Gym in Hinundayan town featuring Ginebra, Barako Bull, Goldstar Hardware and Sam Sam Gullas.

Ticket prices are pegged at P250 (upper box), P500 (ringside) and P1,000 (VIP seats).

BASKETBALL CAPITAL

Tournament organizers Van Halen Parmis and Fr. Joselito Catubig said preparations are underway to ensure the success of the upcoming tournament.

“When we first announced that PBA teams will be playing in our place, our townsfolk wouldn’t believe it. It will be the first time that PBA teams will be seeing action in southern Leyte and it will have a big impact in our campaign to promote our place,” said Fr. Catubig.

“This is one of our efforts to make Baybay as the basketball capital in southern Leyte,” said Parmis.

The Hinundayan Gym had undergone repairs after it was damage by last year’s earthquake and supertyphoon.

“The gym has a wooden floor already and we are making sure that it will be ready for the tournament. My constituents are excited with this and it will definitely be a big help for our tourism campaign,” said Hinundayan Mayor Evelyn Lee.

On Sept. 27, action will shift to Minglanilla town, southern Cebu with Meralco going up against the top three teams in the Leyte leg.
Ticket prices are pegged at P150 (upper box), P250 (stage) and P500 (ringside).

“We Cebuanos are very passionate when it comes to basketball that’s why we are very thankful for the organizers fro bringing the tournament to Minglanilla,” said former Cebu First District Representative Eduardo “Eddiegul” Gullas.

The championship game will be held at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex on Sept. 28.

Tickets will be sold for P200 (upper box), P400 (stage), P500 (lower box) and P700 (ringside).

For information, interested parties may contact mobile numbers 0923-748-2110, 0922-518-3771, 0917-688-8890, 0998-398-5159 and telephone number (032) 422-8988.