CESAFI-VIVA SPORTS TIE-UP LAUNCHED AT OFFICIAL PRESSCON IN CEBU

Thu, 30 Jul 2015

In what both parties described as a milestone in Cebu basketball, the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc, or CESAFI and Viva Sports formalized a partnership agreement which would make Viva the official TV coverer of the most exciting and fiercely competitive basketball league outside Metro Manila.

The tie-up which is regarded as a landmark was formally announced at the launch of the 15th season of Cesafi at a well-attended pre-season conference at the Parklane International Hotel on Wednesday.

Viva president and COO Vincent del Rosario said “it's really been a dream of ours to be part of the country’s sports development even on a regional basis.”

The main game on each day will be telecast on prime time over IBC 13 aired on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and Saturday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. while the plan is to telecast two games every Sunday all of which would be aired the following day.

IBC chairman Eric Canoy and vice-president Lito Ocampo Cruz who also was one of the guests at the press conference was pleased at the response to the telecast of the games on IBC 13 which has a solid network of stations especially in the South with Cebu as a key center, is known for the PBA and NBA games.

CESAFI Commissioner Felix “Boy” Tiukinhoy, the well-known businessman-sportsman who heads the collegiate and high school organization with Fr. Manny Uy, SJ, as president said that after he assumed the reins as Commissioner some two decades ago, “it has really been my desire to have our games aired on nationwide television and I am happy and grateful that Viva, one of the most enduring networks in the history of Philippine TV, will lend us a helping hand in this worthwhile endeavor.” He added, “this breakthrough undertaking will surely be a big boost to the growth and development of the league.”

Back to back PBA MVP Junmar Fajardo, a prime product of CESAFI in recent years and a player who gives substance to the slogan “Cesafi – home of the future stars of Philippine basketball will receive a special award for his achievements and his demeanor on and off the court while newly-appointed PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa wil be guest speaker. CESAFI president Fr. Uy said “this season offers a lot of opportunities especially for for our young athletes. Of course there will be close competition but in the end it's all about nurturing and developing talents and building champions with character.”

IBC-13 is that Viva used to air the PBA and CESAFI games for basketball fans, as well as Sandy's Romance, Born to be a Superstar and the Pinoy action movie Sunday Sinemaks.

CESAFI and VIVA officials during the tie-up press conference in Cebu.