NINE teams make up the field competing in the Tournament of the Philippines, the inaugural event being held by the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas as part of their planned merger.
The event, which starts today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, serves as a dry-run for the eventual merger of the two leagues, according to officials of the two groups who graced yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave.
Ascof Lagundi squares off with Trace Laguna in the 1:30 p.m. curtain raiser, while M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Cebu takes on Ani-FCA in the other game at 3:30.
The opening ceremonies will be held in between games, with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan invited to do the ceremonial toss.
Officials of the two leagues–chairman Ding Camua and executive director Butch Maniego for the PBL and chief executive officer Noli Eala and technical director Perry Martinez for Liga Pilipinas–expressed their optimism about the success of the rare partnership.
“This is one the best things that ever happened to Philippine basketball,” Eala said in the public sports program backed by Accel, Outlast Battery, Pagcor, and Shakey’s.
“We believe the planned merger is for the best interest of basketball and players in particular. We’re looking forward to a tremendous competition among all the best amateur clubs in the country,” he added.
Noting the many differences between the PBL and Liga Pilipinas, Camua said the tourney will determine whether the two leagues “could jive.”
Aside from Ascof Lagundi and Ani-FCA, Cobra Energy Drink is another team from the PBL joining the tournament, while Gen. Santos City, Misamis Oriental, Mandaue and Taguig are the other Liga teams competing.
The tournament is adopting the Liga Pilipinas format where teams earn corresponding points in their respective finishes in each leg. A playoff system will be held after the nine-leg phase.
Maniego said Cebu, handled by veteran coach Yayoy Alcoseba, is tapped as title favorite.
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