The competition in the secondary basketball of the Western Visayas Regional Athletics Association Meet in Bacolod City next month is expected to be wide open with defending champion Iloilo Central Commerical High School skipping the tournament.

ICCHS coach Nelson Go told the DAILY STAR Sunday that his team will miss the weeklong hostilities because the school will celebrate its 95th founding anniversary on the same week.

The regional Palaro, initially scheduled Feb. 11 to 16, has been rescheduled to Feb. 19-24, while ICCHS will have its celebration from Feb. 20-25, Go said.

Division Schools Supt. Eva Belicena and regional director Victoriano Tirol Jr. had earlier said that the Department of Education decided to reset the schedule because there might be constraints in the release of funds by the School Board. ICCHS was supposed to represent Iloilo in the regional event after claiming the Palarong Panlalawigan crown last month, but the province will now form a squad of selected cagers because of the development, Go said.

He said that the officials of the school will not allow the players to see action in the school-based meet because they have been assigned to work in their activities since the celebration of the founding anniversary for the Chinese tradition on the 5th year is very important.

ICCHS bannered the Western Visayas squad that placed second in the Palarong Panlalawigan in Naga City last year after defeating the Dennis "Jack" Tumayan-mentored West Negros College team in the finals of the regional meet.

Reigning NOPSSCEA champion University of St. La Salle, coached by Leo Casinillo, earned the right to represent Negros in the regional Palaro after emerging victorious against La Carlota. ICCHS alumni James Yap, the Philippine Basketball Association's Most Valuable Player, is expected to attend the school's foundation day together with UAAP standouts Jeff Chan, Ken Bono, Leo Canuday, Roel Hugnatan and Francis Barcellano. *CIT

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