Benedictine cagers to play exhibition games in China

MANILA, Philippines - The Benedictine International School Tigersharks, the National Inter-Secondary basketball champs, will leave on Thursday to take on several Chinese teams in Xiamen and Nanan in Fujian Province in China, with games scheduled from April 17 to 20. The Tigersharks will leave 9:30 a.m. aboard a China Southern Airlines flight, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP). The Tigersharks, coached by Rhuel "Beuajing" Acot, swept all their assignments in the National Inter-Secondary Championships held in Cebu City last February 26 to March 2. "It's a good exposure for the team," Acot said. "The players will not only get the chance to play against top Chinese school teams in goodwill games but also visit several historic places in China." The Tigersharks be the guests during the foundation anniversary of the Xiamen University. The team will be led by Pancho Camingue and Jose Mariano Bondoc III. Accompanying the team are assistant coaches Albert Olaya, Michael Pascaio, and MJ Calungcaguin; spiritual adviser Gareth Leo Visitacion; technical officer Fructuso Raytos; and team referee Edgar Lagne. The team members are Robert James Andaya, Federico Alupani, Raymark Cabrera, Chester Aldrich Dacanay, Eduardo Daquioag, Eric Faner, Jeoffrey Javillonar, John Albert Santos, Edhexilon Tanuan, David Clayton Vivo, and Justin Ray Vivo. Team captain Clark "Tata" Bautista cannot join the trip due to previous commitments. On Friday, National Inter-Collegiate champion Southwestern University Cobras willl also leave for Fujian to join Benedictine. The Cobras defeated the University of Visayas Lancers in the finals of the collegiate division. - GMANews.TV