CHED Celebrates International Basketball Week with the All-Star Basketball Friendship Cup 2024
In celebration of International Basketball Week, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has organized an event featuring various sports associations: the All-Star Basketball Friendship Cup 2024. The tournament will take place at the Amoranto Sports Complex on December 11, 2024.
The participating associations include:
The State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA), represented by the University of Northern Philippines
The Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA), represented by Amando Cope College
The National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (NAASCU), represented by St. Clare College
The Local Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (LCUAA), represented by Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina
The event kicks off with two exciting matches: SCUAA vs. PRISAA at 1:00 PM, followed by LCUAA vs. NAASCU at 3:00 PM. Adding to the excitement, an exhibition game between premier leagues, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), will take place at 10:00 AM. Selected student-athletes from schools within these associations will represent the UAAP and NCAA teams.
One of UAAP’s representatives is Ivanne Calum of the UST Growling Tigers, who expressed optimism about the event’s potential.
“Malaking bagay ‘to para sa UAAP and NCAA na may ganitong liga. Hopefully, it will grow pa next season. Friendship game naman, so dapat masaya lang kami,” he said.
In an exclusive interview with ALL-STAR, Tristan Felebrico, NCAA 2024 Mythical Five and All-Defender Team awardee, highlighted how the event creates valuable opportunities for players, especially those aspiring to play in Manila.
“Nakakapagprovide siya ng opportunities sa mga ibang nagaaspire na makapaglaro dito sa Manila,” he said. “Magandang event ‘to na umpisahan para sa ibang players, lalo na sa probinsya.”
Felebrico also looks forward to the NCAA-UAAP exhibition match, eager to address the ongoing debate about which league is superior.
“Even though friendship games ‘to, magiging maganda ‘yung laban kasi NCAA vs. UAAP,” said Felebrico. “Maraming nagsasabi na mas angat, mas maganda daw ‘yung UAAP kesa sa [NCAA], although pareho naman sila. Makikita naman natin.”
Calum, excited to see all the athletes give their best, shares a similar sentiment. For both Felebrico and Calum, they sum up the anticipation with two words: “Let’s see.”
