ONE of the reasons why I wanted to make the trip and cover the first Gov. Luigi Villafuerte Cup basketball championship on March 31-April 5 is the chance to visit Camarines Sur, Bicol for the first time in more than two decades.

Camarines Sur, after all, is now considered as the “Sports and Adventure Capital of the Philippines”, and its world-class CamSur Watersports Complex is definitely the place to visit for its many adrenaline-pumping activities like wakeboarding and cliff jumping.

Pili, the provincial capital of Camarines Sur since 1955, is popular by its nickname “The City of Chosen” based on its name, Pili. Its patron saint, St. Raphael the Archangel, is another favorite.

There’s also Mount Isarog, another significant landmark which also serves as a popular hiking destination. With an elevation of 6,600 feet above sea level, it is also considered as one of the country’s active volcanoes.

Another popular destination for island hopping and watersports-related activities such as kayaking, diving and snorkeling is the Caramoan Islands. Last year, they even hosted the Swimjunkie Challenge, a popular open water swimming event for both locak and international tourists.

And of course, the trip will not be complete without a visit to the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga.

The Peñafrancia Festival is the biggest and most popular Marian event in Asia, drawing tens of thousands of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists to pay homage to the Patroness of Bicol every third Sunday of September.

Surely, the first Gov. Luigi Villafurte Cup basketball championship is more than enough reason to visit Camarines Sur.

But Gov. Villafuerte himself and the beautiful people of this breathtaking province in the Bicol region are making sure the visit will be truly memorable and enjoyable.

As they say in Bicol, “Magkita ta, CamSur.”

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As to the basketball-loving people all over Bicol, the week-long tournament being organized by Amstrong Philippines Promotions and Events, headed by Managing Director Joven Ace Castillo, in cooperation with the local government of Camarines Sur, is a must-see event.

Set to dispute the coveted Gov. Villafuerte Cup are one foreign team — Kuala Lumpur Hornbills — and three local squads –NAASCU champion St. Clare College of Caloocan, NCAA campaigner University of Perpetual Help Dalta and host CamSur Express of NBL Philippines.

Handled by multi-titled coach Jino Manansala and PBA legend Jimmy Manansala, the Saints are preparing to defend their title in the NAASCU later this year.

An eight-time NAASCU “Coach of the Year” awardee, Manansala steered the Saints to record eight titles, including seven in a row from 2016 to 2024, and three runner-up finishes behind Centro Escolar University.

The Altas will be piloted by veteran coach Olsen Racela, who took over the coaching chores at UPHSD last January 2024.

The 53-year-old Barangay Ginebra assistant coach is also best remembered for leading Far Eastern University to consecutive Final Four appearances from 2017 to 2022.

Perpetual Help finished NCAA Season 100 in a tie for seventh place with Arellano University with 7-11 win-loss record.

In NCAA Season 99, the Las Piñas-based Altas wound up in fifth place with a 10-8 win-loss record.

Both the Malaysians and the CamSur Express are also no pushovers based on pre-event announcements.

This early, Castillo lauded the local organizing committee for leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success of the tournament.

“This early, we would like to thank Gov. Villafuerte and the people of Camarines Sur for their all-out support,” added Castillo, who is being ably assisted by events specialist Maria Theresa Magno and tournament director Norman Gomez.

Magno is also the head coach of the Emilio Aguinaldo College- Cavite women’s basketball team, while Gomez served as one of the technical officials of Metro Manila Tiong Lian league.

According to Gomez, tournament format is single-round elimination with the No. 1 team battling the No. 4 squad and the No. 2 team playing the No. 3 squad in the crossover semis.

The top two teams battle for the championship, while the remainng two teams dispute third place on April 4.

The complete schedule:

March 31 — University of Perpetual Help vs. St.Clare College; KL Hornbills vs. Cam Sur Express.
April 1 — KL Hornbills vs. Perpetual Help; St. Clare College vs.Cam Sur Express.
April 2 — KL Hornbills vs. St. Clare College; Perpetual Help vs. CamSur Express.
April 3 — Crossover semis: No. 1 vs.No. 4; No. 2 vs. No. 3.
April 4 — Battle for third place; Championship game.

One of the highlight of the visit is wakeboarding activities for all guests and participants at the world-class Camarines Watersports Complex.

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AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya