THE 5th Governor Susan A. Yap Inter-Department Basketball Tournament got underway last August 30 at the Tarlac State University Gymnasium with Governor Susan Yap making the ceremonial toss of the game between the Provincial Information Office-Civil Security Unit (PIO-CSU) basketball team and the Provincial Administrator’s Office (PA) team.

The basketball tournament is part of the participation of the Provincial Government of Tarlac to the 122nd founding anniversary of the Civil Service Commission. The entire month of September is commemorated as the “Civil Service Month.”
In Gov. Yap’s message, she said that the purpose of the basketball tournament is to foster camaraderie among employees.
“Maganda ang turn-out sa tournament na ito. We are here today to foster camaraderie and sportsmanship among employees. Play your best at sana walang magkakasakitan at pikunan.,” Gov. Yap said.
She likewise urged employees to watch the games and cheer for their teams.
“Suportahan ninyo ang mga teams ninyo para maging masaya ang ating tournament,” she said.
There are 10 participating departments in this year’s tournament. Aside from the PIO-CSU and PA teams, the Provincial Veterinary Office (Vet), Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO), Provincial Equipment Pool Office (PEPO), Provincial Engineer’s Office (PEO), Provincial General Services Office (PGSO), Vice Governor’s Office (VG), Provincial Composite Task Force (Task Force) and the Tarlac Provincial Jail (Jailers) are likewise included in the basketball tournament.
Board Members Harmes Sembrano and Christine Dizon also delivered their inspirational messages.
Others who were present during the opening ceremony were Board Member Joy Gilbert Lamorena, Gerona Councilor Holden Sembrano and some capitol department heads.
The mascot of the Philippine Basketball Association team Converge Fiber Xers paraded with the PIO-CSU team as Converge is one of the major sponsors of the team.
In the first games played on August 29, the PGO team defeated the Task Force team 82 to 52, PGSO won over Vet 59 to 52 while the VG office edged PEO, 46 to 44.
PIO-CSU bludgeoned PA by 34 points, 39 to 73
The basketball tournament will last until September 28.