The 3rd Filipino Basketball Association of North America Basketball Tournament will blast off on September 1 and 2, 2007, in Chantilly, Virginia with more than a thousand players and 4,500 to 6000 guests expected to descend in the area to witness the 2 day extravaganza which is reputed to be the largest gathering of Filipino American and Filipino Canadian athletes in the area in recent memory.
The participating cities are Mississauga, Montreal, Windsor, Winnipeg, Toronto and Vaughn from Canada and Washington DC, Houston, Gaithersburg, Chicago and Glendale Heights from the United States.
Excitement is building up as preparations
are going on at fever pitch pace. The economic impact is enormous. The
Westfields Marriott is fully booked with close to all rooms on Friday and
Saturday nights. For some people who can’t stay at Marriott, they be
staying at Embassy Suites and Marriott Courtyard. Many more will be staying
with friends and relatives.
The parade and opening ceremonies will be
at Chantilly High School then all games will be played at Chantilly high (2
Courts), Hoop Magic (7 courts) and all championship games will be played at
Westfields High School in Chantilly. Competitions will be held under the
following categories, TYKES. PEEWEE. BANTAM, GIRLS, MIDGET, JUVENILE, LADIES
OPEN, MEN’S OPEN. SENIORS and MASTERS Solicitation of sponsors among our
kababayan professionals and business owners which is critical in a tournament
this size are currently being tapped and results have been very encouraging.
FABA (Filipino American Basketball
Association of Washington DC ) who is hosting the event, said that all seven
courts at Hoops Magic and other venues have been spruced up and ready. It will
be the biggest event ever to be sponsored by FABA since its inception.
For the 75-80 teams expected . it will be
a 2 games elimination format. About 145-155 games that must be completed
in 2 days, including all championship games in all divisions. Thus there will
be 9 games running simultaneously every hour from 9am to 10pm. then back again
on the court the next day at 9am to 8pm.According to tournament director Ken
Mendoza it will be a “Matira ang matibay” situation where the
“ecstasy of winning and agony of defeat” will be in full display. Emotions will
be running at an all time high. For the players especially the youth this is
their Olympics and everyone is always looking forward to this tournament every
year, Ken concluded.
By Alfonso Torrillo Jr.
