A total of 11 teams featuring four premier schools will compete in the Aspirant Cup 16-under boys’ basketball tournament of the Philippine Schools Athletics Association (PSAA) on July 12.
PSAA founder and basketball grassroots organizer coach Fernando Arimado said to expect a high-caliber, action-packed tournament with the participation of high-level institutions such as Ateneo, National University, University of the Philippines-Integrated School, and Mapua in the school-based league that aims to give adequate exposure to Filipino youth and sustain grassroots sports development in the country.
“We’re happy to announce the participation of four established institutions—Mapua, UP, Ateneo, and NU—to play against seven other equally talented schools in the inaugural Aspirant Cup for 16-under players. We’re just waiting for the response of Makati City administration to lend the Makati Coliseum for the opening day or else we will do it in Xavier Schoiol gymnasium,” said Arimado, also founder of the National Youth Basketball League (NYBL), during his visit to the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ on Thursday at the PSC Conference Room.
Aside from the four, Xavier School, St. Bernadeth College-Alabang, Marist School, St. Benedict School, Gracel Christian College Foundation, St. John Worth Integrated School, and San Antonio High School-Makati – the only public school participant – will also compete in the league.
According to League Commissioner Robert Dela Rosa, the teams divided into two groups will face off in a one-round elimination, where the top two teams from each group will advance to the cross-over semifinals.
“We chose a group of referees composed of veteran officials responsible for big collegiate leagues, so we can ensure that the quality of our officiating is also high-level,” Dela Rosa said during the weekly sports forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, and Pocari Sweat.
School representatives, on the other hand, welcomed the participation of big institutions, saying they would provide more inspiration and challenge to the young players, most of whom will be playing for the first time in a respectable collegiate league.
“Their presence is a big challenge for us. It is a motivation for us, for my players, to persevere because they know that they play against strong opponents. It is not just about being disciplined,” said Jonald Mabasa, head coach of St. Bernadeth College of Alabang.
Doms De Castro, coach of Gracel Christian College, stressed that part of their training and preparation is not only physical but also mental strength, so it is a big challenge for the players to be able to play in a high-level competition.
“For us, this is our first time joining this league. We have no target other than to learn more. However, we have gone through a lot of sacrifices, including the recruitment process that resulted in us getting players from Samar. We are grateful to the parents who allowed their children to play with the school,” said coach Hilario Lucero. Jr. of St. Benedict School of Caloocan.
Coach Leolito Lee Mier of San Antonio High School-Makati supported the statement made by his colleague, while also thanking the leadership of the local government of Makati for the support for the school's participation under a meaningful program of PSAA.
“We are grateful to our Mayor, and we are grateful to PSAA for inviting us to participate. This is a big chance for our students to further build up their morale and confidence,” he said.
