Maiden Dominance cagefest set for tip-off

MANILA, Philippines – High-level grassroots action takes center stage when the 1st Dominance Premier Basketball League powered by Sailun Tire comes off the wraps on Saturday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

The best club and school-based teams in seven age divisions in Metro Manila will compete for pride and glory for a chance to emerge as the first-ever champion of this tourney that features the future stars of Philippine basketball. 

Aside from the cash prizes for champion and runner-up, participants will also get to enjoy social media exposure, in-game photos and team certificates. 

The country’s best collegiate and high school coaches will also be invited in the playoffs to give young players a chance to showcase their skills and talent.

Set to be disputed are titles in the 10-under, 11-under, 12-under, 13-under, 14-under, 16-under and 18-under categories.

In the 12-under division, Hustle Squad will parade a powerhouse roster bannered by Rajko Manicad, Edzel Tumandao and Jhon Andrew Mendoza.

Manicad, the Most Valuable Player in the recent St. John Basketball League who also played for TNT Tropang Giga in the Batang PBA, is a 5-foot-5 power forward from De La Salle University-Integrated School; while Tumandao is a 5-foot-4 small forward from Colegio San Agustin Makati who has been campaigning in various age-group tourneys in Metro Manila.

Mendoza, meanwhile, is a heady playmaker from Bacoor Elementary School.

Set to challenge Hustle Squad is Immuno Gummies powered by Nathan Singui of La Salle Green Hills and Rajko Baluyot of Ateneo de Manila University.

The 12-year-old Singui is a 5-foot-2 shooting guard while Baluyot is a power forward who helped the Blue Eaglets win the recent Private Schools Athletic Division Association Mini Basketball Tournament.

Also entered in this tourney that has Cuzco Kola, Desely Corporation, Wilson, Apolega Tire and Services, and Arthroplasty and Orthopedics Laguna as sponsors with Perpetual Help Medical Center as official health provider are Aguilas and Nuvali in 10-under, JNB and Slix Camp in 11-under, LDG Academy and Red Pirates in 12-under, and Pilipinas Immuno Gummies and RA Elite in 13-under categories.

Meanwhile, Red Cubs