THIRTY-FIVE teams have initially signed up in the men’s, women’s and junior divisions of the 23nd Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball Tournament.
The defending champions Arellano University Chiefs, the University of the East Lady Warriors and the NU Bullpups lead the list of entries.
And they will be there to provide challenges starting with a five-game bill on April 20 at the St. Placid gym of the San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola
The Chiefs will fight to retain the senior division crown, which attracted 12 varsity squads in this three-monthlong cagefest.
Games will mostly be held at the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola, according to chief organizer Edmundo “Ato Badolato and commissioner Robert de la Rosa.
In the opening matches, the Ateneo Blue Eagles will meet Philippine Merchant Marine School at 8 a.m., while the NU Bulldogs take on Emilio Aguinaldo College at 9:30 a.m. The Batang Gilas Under-16 national team clashes with AMA at 11 a.m.
Later, University of Santo Tomas battles Enderun in women’s play at 12:30 p.m., while UST clashes with AMA at 2 p.m.
The UE Lady Warriors are among the eight teams that are entered in the women’s side.
On the other hand, the Bullpups are in a 15-team field that is expected to fight for the junior division honors.
Badolato said the Batang Gilas Under 16 national men’s team that’s preparing for the SEABA tournament will be a guest team in men’s action.
They are listed with reigning collegiate champions La Salle and San Beda, along with Emilio Aguinaldo College, NU, Letran, Centro Escolar University-A and CEU-B, Philippine Merchant Marine School and College of St. Benilde.
Entered in the women’s section are Far Eastern University, Enderun College, University of Santo Tomas, Adamson, University of the Philippines, CSB and La Salle.
Also joining the junior division are San Beda-Manila and San Beda-Rizal, Lyceum, EAC, Rich Golden Montessori School, La Salle Greenhills, San Sebastian College, Letran, St. Patrick School, PMMS, UST, University of Perpetual Help, Hope Christian School and NU.
Games Thursday (St. Placid gym, San Beda College)
8 a.m. Ateneo vs PMMS
9:30 a.m. NU vs EAC
11 a.m. Batang Gilas U16 vs AMA
12:30 p.m. UST vs Enderun (women)
2 p.m. UST vs AMA (jrs.)