Basketball wars during Cebu Press Freedom Week begin on Sunday

Representatives of the eight participating teams of the basketball tournament for Press Freedom Week 2024. | Contributed photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Exciting basketball action will be in full swing on Sunday, August 18, as the Press Freedom Week 2024 Basketball Tournament kicks off at the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Gymnasium.

Local media professionals will take a break from their duty of reporting news to participate in this annual tournament aimed at fostering unity and camaraderie in Cebu's already close-knit media community.

The tournament is also one of the activities of the World Press Freedom Week celebrations planned for September.

READ: FACES OF CEBU: Jessa Ngojo and Gerard Jamora, Mr. and Ms. Press Freedom bet

In Group A, defending champions XFM will face Brigada News FM, dyHP and a combined team of Bombo Radyo, dyLA and dyKC.

In Group B, Sunstar competes with dySS/GMA, MyTVCebu/PTV/Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) and Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN).

READ: Freedom of the press and its development over time

Each team will battle through a three-game round-robin format, with the top two teams in each group securing a two-win advantage in the crossover semifinals.

The tournament will implement a barangayan system over three quarters, ensuring that each player spends at least five minutes on the court, tournament commissioner Calvin Cordova told the Manila Bulletin.

READ: CCPC honors first Cebuano press freedom martyr

The top teams will receive prizes: The champions will receive 8,000 P, the runners-up 5,000 P. The third-place team will receive 3,000 P. The losing teams will not go home empty-handed either, as they will also each receive 1,500 P.

The opening ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. with a team presentation and the crowning of the best muse, followed by the opening games of the tournament.

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