WHEN Manny Pacquiao finishes his assignment against Marco Antonio Barrera on Oct. 6 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Resort Casino in Las Vegas, he will be facing another challenge when he returns Cebu.
This time he will be playing a competitive basketball game as he hosts the 1st MP Cup Invitational that on Oct. 14 at the USC Gym.
?This is Pacquiao?s one way of thanking the Cebuanos for their support and very warm reception to him while he trained here in preparation for the Barrera fight,? said event coordinator and former Cebu City councilor George Rama, during the meeting at Beehive Restaurant in F. Ramos Street the other day.
Twelve teams will be joining the competition which will bar former and active professional players, collegiate and high school varsity players and under trainees.
Teams
Aside from Team Pacman, those who were invited to join the tournament include the Cebu Sports Media Association, Cebu Clergy, Iglesia ni Cristo, Jaycees Basketball Association, Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association, and San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) employees of both Waterfront Lahug and Airport hotels, Team Barkada-Rama Boys, United Architects? Basketball Club, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines will also field teams.
Winner-take-all
The 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six and each group will play a single round robin in the elimination phase. The two top teams in each bracket will advance into the crossover semifinals, with the winners slugging it out for the championship in a winner-take-all-affair.
On top of personalized trophies bearing Pacquiao?s memento, a total of P100,000 in cash prizes will be handed out to the top three performing teams.
The champion will receive P50,000, while the second and third placers will take home P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.
Personalized plaques and medals will also be given away to the individual awardees such as the tournament and finals MVPs, and Mythical Five members.
Finalization of lineup will be made during the final organizational meeting on Oct. 3 at 11:30 a.m. at the Conching?s Native Restaurant in North Reclamation Area. (
