THE fire keeps burning for the Provincial Capitol employees competing in the Civil Service Anniversary Sportsfest 2024 with games in basketball and chess set to resume this afternoon, Sept 5, at the Capitol ground.

Other games temporarily put on hold include volleyball, table tennis, badminton, dart, and counter strike.

Hoping to figure in a grudge rematch for the title with the reigning champion Cluster 3 Black Panthers, the Provincial Governor's Office-backed Cluster 1 dribblers tangle with Cluster 8 in the second game scheduled at 3 pm. with the hope of improving their 1-1 win-loss card.

HEART AND SOUL. Former collegiate star point guard Jeff Morial teaches young players basic basketball skills, confident in leading his Cluster 1 team to the playoffs in the Civil Service hoopfest. Photo by Lynde Salgados

They lost to the Maher Eduave-led Black Panthers in the opener, before rebounding with an emphatic 65-45 victory over the DOST-powered Cluster 10.

“We still have more to prove, but we lack team chemistry. With the right play and strategy, we're confident that we can make the playoff round, and possibly a rematch with Cluster 3 in the final,” former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) standout Jeff Morial told Gold Star Daily.

The Cluster 1 chessers, bannered by Lorenzo Cuizon and William Reintegrado, eye to sustain their winning ways with two rounds to be played in the 24-man field this afternoon at the Capitol Chess Park in Cagayan de Oro City.