BAYUGAN City, Agusan del Sur — Sisimulan ng defending champion Adamson University-ARQ Builders ang kanilang kampanya para sa back-to-back championship sa gagawing pakikipagtuos sa University of Santo Tomas-WengBurs Apartelle sa Mayor Kirk A. Asis Open invitational basketball tournament sa Lope Asis Memorial gym.

Magtatagisan ng galing ang Falcons ni coach Nash Racela at Tigers ni coach Pido Jarencio simula 8:30 p.m. sa unang araw ng kumpetisyon ng prestihiyosong kumpetisyon na itinataguyod ni Mayor Kirk Asis bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng kanilang 18th Charter Day at third Bayug Festival.

Una dito, maghaharap ang Far Eastern University-Mair Constrution and General Merchandise at Letran College-Bustamante Construction simula 7 p.m.

Ang ika-limang team — Jose Rizal University-Vincare Pharma ni coach Nani Epondulan — ay unang sasabak sa aksyon laban sa Letran sa ika-dalawang araw ng aksyon sa sikat na siyudad ng Agusan del Sur na tinatawag ding ” Cut-flower Capital” ng bansa.

Lahat na limang Metro Manila-based school-teams ay kasalukuyang naghahanda para sa darating na UAAP at NCAA seasons.

Last year, tinalo ng Adamson ang San Beda University-Wengburs Apartelle and Ella Store, 71-63, upang masungkit ang korona at P300,000
top prize.

Ang Red Lions ay nag-uwi ng runner-up trophy at P200,000 cash prize

Pumangatlo ang Emilio Aguinaldo College-Arianas Construction, na nagwagi laban sa CESAFI champion University of Visayas- Bustamante Construction 80-69.

“Part of our preparations is to play in pre-season tournaments. Maraming kaming mga sinalihan ngayon in the last two to three months to really better prepare us for the Bayugan tournament,” pahayag ni Adamson coach Nash Racela sa panayam ng People’s Tonight/Taliba.

“This year, we will try to give our opponents a good fight. That’s the only thing we could do and I really promise,” dugtong.pa ni Racela.

“This tournament is a good preparation for us for the coming UAAP season. We are very serious going to Mayor Kirk Asis tournament,” pagdidiin naman ni Jarencio.

“We are really prepared,” dagdag pa ng sikat na PBA legend mula Barangay Ginebra.

Nagkaroon din si FEU Basketball Program Director Mike Reyes ng two-day Mayor Kirk Asis Free Basketball Clinic sa Father Saturnino Urios College of Bayugan, Inc.

“More than just a showcase of thrilling basketball action, the Mayor Kirk Asis Open Invitational Basketball Tournament carries deeper meaning for the community,” palIwanag ni tournament organizer-coach Van Parmis.

“It stands as a symbol of unity bringing together residents and visitors alike in celebration of a shared love for the sport.”