Home>Sports>Other Sports>Pilipinas Vis-Min Cup ready for launch
Other Sports

Pilipinas Vis-Min Cup ready for launch

Vis-Min Cup Officials
Pilipinas Vis-Min Cup officials join TOPS "Usapang Sports on Air".

THE Pilipinas Vis-Min Super Cup will strictly follow the health and safety protocols being implemented by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) through the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to ensure the well-being of its players and officials.

This was the assurance of Vis-Min Super Cup chief operating officer Rocky Chan, PBA legend Dondon Hontiveros and Mayor Fritz Lastimoso of Alcantara, Cebu when asked about the coming launching of the professional basketball tournament based in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Speaking at the weekly “Usapang Sports on Air” via Zoom by the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS), Chan and Mayor Lastimoso said steps are being taken to comply with all the requirements of the IATF before the formal launch of the event on April 9.

We’re leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success of the Pilipinas Vis-Min Super Cup. One of the steps we’re now taking is to meet the requirements of the IATF before we can hold our professional tournament in the Visayas and Mindanao,” said Chan during the public service program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

Hontiveros, who was appointed as Vis-Min Super Cup ambassador, expressed confidence that the newest professional basketball league will help generate more jobs and opportunities from players, coaches and other officials.

Mayor Lastimoso, on the other hand, assured everybody that his basketball-loving constituents in the seaside municipality of Alcantara are now very excited to host the Vis-Min Super Cup.

Hosting the Pilipinas Vis-Min Super Cup is a good opportunity for us to showcase our sports-loving municipality. Ever since I was elected in 2019, sports tourism is really one of our main programs,” said Mayor Lastimoso.

A former volleyball player himself, Mayor Lastimoso admitted keeping the participants of the Vis-Min Super Cup in a bubble-type environment similar to the PBA in Clark is a daunting task.

But with the help of my constituents, I know we can all do it (meet safety requirements of the IATF). We can keep them all safe in a nearby resort and in our 2,000-seat capacity municipal gym,” said Mayor Lastimoso.

Hontiveros thanked Chan and Mayor Lastimoso for promoting professional basketball in the Visayas and Mindanao despite the restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Malaki talagang tulong ang mga ganitong liga para sa mga players at iba pa sa basketball community,” explained Hontiveros, now a city councilor in the second district of Cebu.

A three-time PBA champion with San Miguel Beer and 13-time PBA All-Star from 2000-2017, Hontiveros is happy to see his provincemates find a new opportunity in basketball.

Madaming players ang mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na lumaro uli at magkaroon ng trabaho, lalo na dito sa amin na naapektuhan din ng pandemic,” added Hontiveros, who retired in 2018.

Both Chan and Mayor Lastimoso also expressed hope that a limited number of fans will be finally allowed to watch the games starting on April 9.

We’re just waiting for the approval of the IATF, Kapag sinabi nilang pwede na, we will allow the fans to watch the games live. Syempre yun ang gusto ng mga fans,” said Mayor Lastimoso.

Chan and Mayor Lastimoso also said they are in constant communication with GAB Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra for the requirements needed based on the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) signed by GAB, PSC and the Department of Health and approved by the IATF.

We will have a safety officer to supervise the implementation of the JAO. We have also invited Chairman Mitra or his GAB representatives to check our facilities in Alcantara.

Also present was Vis-Min Super Cup secretary-general Chelito Caro, who said the six teams in the Visayas leg and six teams in the Mindanao leg are now finalizing their line-ups.

Comments are closed.