IT’S all systems go for the Rain or Shine-Sumilang Invitational for the Santa Rosa de Lima Parish today at the Sumilang Covered Court in Pasig City.
Lead organizer and former PBA chairman Buddy Encarnado has assembled a competitive 10-team cast composed of current and past champions of their respective collegiate mother leagues for a sure blockbuster to further heat up the summer.
Reigning National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities champion Saint Clare College of Caloocan will usher in hostilities against Technological Institute of the Philippines at 1 p.m. followed by the tussle between Universities, Colleges and Schools Athletic Association champion Manuel L. Quezon University and NAASCU runnerup Our Lady of Fatima University at 3 p.m.
National Capital Region Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association runner-up De Ocampo Memorial College will then play City University of Pasay at 5 p.m., while the nightcap features Philippine Merchant Marine School and AMA University at 7 p.m.
Drawing opening day byes are Men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association and Universities and Colleges Basketball League champion Centro Escolar University and Philippine Christian University.
The 10 varsities have been divided into two groups of five and will play a single round robin among themselves for four games each.
The top four in each group will advance to the knockout crossover quarterfinals with the winners progressing to the semifinals and eventually the championship game on Thursday.
As a bonus, a PBA Legends Game will be held immediately after the championship game.
All these activities are part of the grand parish celebration to mark the 400th death anniversary of their patroness Saint Rose of Lima and held in cooperation with the NAASCU.