Davao hoop fans will be treated to probably the most star-powered Kadayawan Basketball Tournament in years with five of the country’s top collegiate squads taking part.
Consider this powerhouse cast: Defending champion and UAAP runner-up Adamson University Falcons, reigning UAAP champion and Pinoy Liga winner Ateneo Blue Eagles, newly-crowned PBA D-League champion De La Salle Green Archers, NCAA and Pinoy Liga runner-up St. Benilde Blazers, PBA D League runner-up and former champion San Beda Red Lions.
Not to be counted out are the hometown bets Jose Maria College Kings, 2023 PCCL Nationals finalist.
Adamson University will try to defend the title they won last year without star guard Jerom Lastimosa who will be back to lead the Falcons’ repeat drive.
Lastimosa will ba backed up by Mathew Montebon, Jed Cedrick Colonia, Jose Manuel Sabandal, Joshua Yerro, Ahmad Didat Hanapi, Jhon Arthur Calisay, Vince Magbuhos, Cedrick Manzano, Mario Barasi, Mudiaga Ojarikre, John Erolon, Eli Ramos, Kenji Canete, Emmanuel Anabo and Allen Ignacio.
The Flying Falcons is officially representing Davao in the tournament.
The Blue Eagles, coached by the multi-titled Tab Baldwin, will parade a squad led by Gilas mainstay Mason Dulieu Amos along with Michael Asoro, Kainoa Ballungay, Andrew Victor Bongo, Jared Thomas Brown, Raffy Celis, Shaun Geoffrey Chiu, Jason Mari Lorenzo Credo, Matthew Joaquim De Luna, Ian Dominic Espinosa, Kyle Daven Gamber, Paul Aaron Garcia, Vince JohnGabriel Gomez, Christopher Tomas Koon, Joshua Rafael Lazaro, Nieto , Lebron Joseph Nieto, Obasa , Toluwalope Joseph Obasa, Ong , Kyle Bradley Ong, Jose Antonio Quitevis Jr, and Arien Shawn Tuano.
The Green Archers, on the other hand, will be led by local boy Francis Escandor, PBA D League MVP Kevin Quiambao, Mark Nonoy and Gilas standout Ben Philips. The Archers will also have Earl Jared Abadam, Ethan Rod Alan, Raven Angelo Cortez, Vincent Joshua David, Elijah Gollena, Jan Clement Macalang, Joquin Enrique Manuel, Vhoris Marasigan, Rhyle Melencio, Evan Nelle, Bright Nwankwo, Michael Christian Philips, Jonnel Policarpio, Cyrus Austria, Lionel Matthew Rubico, Aaron James Buensalida, Eleazar Fabian, Marco Luis Villanueva, Restituto Ortega, Marlon Celis, Osmond Ng and John Herbert Pelotos.
Coaching the Archers is Topex Robinson.
St. Benilde and San Beda’s lineup will be revealed next issue.
