UST WILL host the first game of the inaugural UAAP junior high school (JHS) basketball tournament, with the opening game scheduled for Sunday, March 10, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Distinct from the boys’ division of UAAP basketball, the JHS basketball tournament will be a demonstration event showcasing players under the age of 16.
The inaugural tournament will feature seven out of the eight member schools, with only the University of the Philippines Integrated School opting not to compete.
The JHS basketball tournament will provide players with an opportunity to develop and prepare for higher-level competitions, said Tiger Cubs head coach Manu Inigo.
“We got excited for the kids because they will have a chance to experience UAAP basketball as early as now,” he told the Varsitarian. “It will be a big help for their development and it would help us prepare them more before they play for the main team.”
Inigo is confident that UST is well-prepared for the tournament, citing the Tiger Cubs’ participation in several pre-season competitions such as the United Basketball League (UBL), the U-17 Sulit Breakdown Basketball Invitational (BBI) and the Pinoy Super League.
But he said other teams would be ready as well, given the established grassroots programs of the other six schools, namely the Adamson Baby Falcons, Ateneo Blue Eagles, De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers, FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws, NU Nazareth School Bullpups, and the UE Junior Red Warriors.
UST’s 16-man roster will be led by team captain and standout from Davao, Lorenz Cinco, and co-captain Basty Castro, who transferred from San Beda University – Taytay. Other notable players in the lineup include Nickson Cabañero, the younger brother of Growling Tigers co-captain Nic Cabañero, and Nyjah Escobido, a relative of Soysoy Escobido.
As a demonstration sport, the JHS basketball tournament will not contribute to the UAAP’s general championship tally.
Depending on the success of the demonstration tournament, the UAAP will consider implementing new rules regarding residency and eligibility for players transferring between member schools in the JHS basketball tournament and the boys’ basketball competition.
Athletes who participated in the recently concluded UAAP boys’ basketball tournament may join the inaugural JHS tournament as long as they meet the U-16 age requirement.
The tournament will feature a single round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the knockout semi-finals, leading to a winner-take-all championship game.
The Tiger Cubs will kick off the JHS basketball tournament against the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws on March 10, Sunday, at 9 a.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
