Ambassador Gaa will address a huge gathering of an estimated one thousand athletes , five thousand guests and countless local basketball fans and supporters who will be on hand to witness the yearly tournament involving Canadian and American cities

Opening rites will feature the parade of teams and their respective muses, the selection of Miss 2007 FBA-NA who will be proclaimed and crowned later during the day, and songs by selected soloists. The best team uniform will also be awarded.

The program will start with the welcome address by Ms Leah Anson Roa-Cuevas in behalf of the sponsoring organization FABA which will be followed by the singing of the national anthems of Canada, sung by Martina San Diego, the Star Spangled Banner by Emily Africa and the Pambansang Awit to be sung by Ms Gigi Magno-Bretana Mark Nazareno will lead the athletes in reciting the pledge of sportsmanship.

The tournament will be proclaimed open by FBA-NA Commissioner Ben Libao who will then assist Ambassador Gaa in tossing the ceremonial ball to start the tournament. Games will start at 9:00 am at Hoops Magic Academy at 14810 Murdock Road, Chantilly VA 20151. The other venues are in the courts of Westfield High also in Chantilly.

FABA chair and tournament director Ken Mendoza said in a message on the eve of the event thanked “God for giving us the privilege of celebrating another year of unity among the Filipino community in the US and Canada. It is an honor to host the annual intercity basketball tournament on the labor day weekend.”

He added: “ I highly commend the organizers of the different participating teams for achieving a sense of unity through athletic development; their involvement in this challenging and demanding tasks towards the promotion of sportsmanship and healthy competition through basketball among the Filipino-American in our community.

“During this tournament, there will be disappointments, losers and winners; we should always remember that this is part of our daily lives. It is nice to win however winning is not everything; it is what we have learned that will make us all WINNERS!!! Special thanks to our sponsors, supporters and volunteers to make this tournament a success. I truly hope that all of you will have a wonderful time and enjoy your visit in the “Most Powerful City of the World -Washington DC”. Good Luck and God Bless Us All.”

Canada will send in teams from the cities of Mississauga, Montreal,, Toronto, Vaughn, Windsor, and Winnipeg. The participating cities from the US are Chicago, Gaithersburg, Glendale Heights, Houston and Washington DC (FABA). Awarding ceremonies and banquet will be held on September 2 where the host city for 2008 will be officially announced, which is Winnipeg, Canada. The singing of the traditional Auld Lang Syne will bring down the curtains on the tournament at 10:30 pm

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.

FABA (Filipino American Basketball Association of Washington DC ) which is hosting the event, said that all seven courts at Hoops Magic and Westfield High have been spruced up and ready for these events.

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.