THE much-awaited basketball league among premier school-based basketball teams in Davao City will finally resume as the Escandor Cup 2018 invitational basketball tournament opens on February 17 at the Davao City Recreation Center.
This was bared by Samahang Baskebol ng Pilipinas (SPB) executive program officer Ronel Leuterio, during the coaches' meeting held at the VIP Lounge of the Royal Mandaya Hotel Friday evening.
From the initial plan of making the tournament an elimination for the Davao City representative to the Breakdown Basketball 2018 National Finals which will be held in Manila, Leuterio opted to withdraw their commitment of joining the national finals due to budget constraints.
"The management of the Breakdown Basketball stated that they couldn't assure to subsidize the Davao City qualifier with free plane ticket, accommodation and food allowances which means the winners will be spending for their own expenses," said Leuterio.
However, to compensate the gap, from the original 10 teams entered in the league which is a brainchild of SBP regional director Glenn Escandor, Leuterio added six more teams to make the league last longer and prestigious.
"Parang wala lang din kung masyadong maiksi yung span ng liga," said Leuterio, while asserting his endeavor of breaking the Division 1 and Division 2 barrier.
Holy Child College of Davao and Ateneo de Davao University are entered in the league along with Davao City National High School, Bernardo Carpio National High School, Assumption College of Davao, Davao Jones Academy, Rizal Memorial Colleges, Jose Maria Colleges, Philippine Women’s College and Holy Cross of Sasa.
Additional teams were Lamb of God Sped Academy, Emar Human and Environmental College, St. Mary's of Tagum City, Agro Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines, Cor Jesu College of Digos and Daniel R. Aguinaldo High School.