Friday, Apr 11, 2008
Gulf News
Dubai: Philippine basketball legends William "Bogs" Adornado and Fortunato "Atoy" Co of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers will be the special guests at today's opening of the FBC-2nd Summer 2008 Basketball Tournament at the Al Nasr Gymnasium.
Adornado is a three-time most valuable player of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the first and oldest professional league in Asia founded in 1975. He is a member of the PBA Hall of Fame along with Co who is the first player to score 5,000 points. Co also won the most valuable player award in 1979.
According to Ramon Pizarras, chairman of the Filipino Basketball Centre (FBC), the tournament dubbed as "Chikka Grill at Marco Polo Hotel Cup" will see the participation of 40 teams representing the hotel and corporate sectors in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, as well as teams with former professional basketball players from the Philippines.
"This year's event will see a new division being introduced. We have opened up the tournament for basketball enthusiasts who are 40 and above. It will be a good opportunity for these individuals to continue playing in a competitive environment," explained Pizarras.
"Adornado and Co have a significant influence on the lives of Filipinos who play basketball since the two former MVP's were the pioneers of the PBA."
The opening ceremonies will start at 8 am with a colourful parade by participating teams which will be escorted by a marching band from the Far Eastern Filipino School.
Philippine Consul Vicente Bandillo has confirmed his attendance as guest of honour. The FBC is a duly-licensed entity in the UAE established to promote sports and entertainment activities among the Filipinos and other nationalities. It was responsible for bringing the first Middle East game of the PBA when Ginebra and Purefoods played against each other on April 13, 2007 in Dubai.
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