All systems go for Liga Pilipinas

AFTER successfully staging its first preseason tournaments this week, its all systems go for Launch Day of the country's newest regional basketball league, Liga Pilipinas, in Cebu City tomorrow.

The initial batch of 14 teams will be unveiled in the formal yet simple opening rites led by the Pampanga Buddies and Cebu Ninos, the North and South pre-season champions. Other teams include the Ilocos Snipers, Baguio Victory, Taguig Batang Global, Laguna Stallions, Iloilo Warriors, Misamis Oriental Meteors, Zamboanga Amores, Pagadian Explorers, Ozamiz Cota, Quezon team and two newly admitted members, the Batangas Barakos and Cavite Heroes.

A formal press conference will precede the launching. Expected to attend are key Liga officials led by CEO and President Noli Eala. Highlight of the press conference is the planned official announcement of a television partnership with the government network NBN-4.

Festive activities kick off tomorrow's launch day for the fledgling organization starting off with a Team Owners Unity Basketball game at the Cebu Coliseum at 9 am followed by a VIP lunch to be hosted by Eala at the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers.

At 2 pm, the full Liga schedule will be announced to the teams after a short board meeting of Pinoy Basketbol Inc., mother company of Liga Pilipinas. The formal launch program begins at 6:30 pm at the Grand Ballroom, Casino Espanol de Cebu.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan has been invited to deliver the keynote speech during the opening ceremonies.

"The fun and excitement of regional basketball is back. We are proud of the modest gains of Liga at this infancy stage. Now the real work begins," remarked Eala, who will be joined at the opening ceremonies by Liga officials Tac Padilla, Michelle Lhullier, Tito Palma, Jose Soberano, Misamis Oriental governor Oscar Moreno, and Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino.

Meanwhile, Pampanga routed Laguna 80-59 to clinch the northern title of the Liga Pilipinas preseason tournament at the CP Tinga gym in Taguig.

Emerson Oreta had 17 points and Christian Luanzon added 16 as the Buddies broke out of tight first half to gain pivotal control in the third quarter, outscoring the Stallions 23-16.