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[av_heading heading=’ UP vs FEU vs CSB vs SKY Iloilo showdown in 4-day tilt’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By Rhick Lars Vladimer Albay
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Wednesday, March 8, 2017
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University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons shooting guard Paul Desiderio (18) rallies past the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in their UAAP Season 79 clash. Desiderio is set to bring his footwork to Iloilo this April for the four-day Iloilo National Invitational Basketball Championship. PHOTO BY TRISTAN TAMAYO
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ILOILO City – Ilonggo basketball fans should brace for some serious contention as the Iloilo National Invitational Basketball Championship is slated to pit collegiate big leagues from the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, Far Eastern University Tamaraws, and College of St. Benilde Blazers against our home-grown local pride in a four-day tourney this April.
Set from April 28 to May 1, the invitational will bring some of the best cagers in the national arena to the Pototan Astrodome – and Ilonggos are in for some great news: Admission will be free!
UP is arguably the team to beat as sportsman and event organizer Ruding Villaruz has confirmed that the Fighting Maroons will be bannered by the duo of UAAP Season 79 Mythical 5 member Paul Desiderio and 6-foot-7 Nigerian titan Bright Akhuetie.
Desiderio and Akhuetie will be joined by brothers Javi “The Flash” Gomez de Liaño and the younger Juan, a UAAP Junior MVP – as well as Jan Jan Jaboneta of Antique and Richie Villaruz of Ajuy.
“With the addition of Bright, we have an answer to our five position problem. We can now battle the boards and execute our plays,” UP coach Bo Perasol told the organizer of the event. “This Iloilo league will bolster our confidence and improve our teamwork. I am also thankful to Governor [Arthur] Defensor Sr., Cong. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. and my good friend Ruding Villaruz for inviting us.”
UAAP powerhouse FEU will be reinforced by cagers from the Toto Tia Ten Trucking squad, persistent leaders in the city’s local invitationals.
Meanwhile, Ilonggos Edward Dixon and Yankee Haruna will be at the forefront of the De La Salle–College of St. Benilde Blazers’ conquest for supremacy.
“This league will benefit us a lot since majority of my teammates are young and we have also new coaches, Coach Ty Tang and Charles Tiu,” shared Dixon, a product of the PAREF Westbridge School for Boys in Iloilo City. “I will show my best playing in my hometown [to] inspire my fellow Ilonggo athletes.”/PN
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