PBA Legends spice up FBA opener

MANILA, Philippines - Filsports Basketball Association, a non-professional league formed to discover and  develop young players, opens its first conference today at the Malolos Sports Center in Malolos City, Bulacan.

FBA president Robert Sombillo will lead the inaugural rites.

Ginebra’s former ace player and FBA commissioner Vince Hizon said the “PBA Legends” composed of Alvin Patrimonio, Bong Ravena, Bal David, Bong Hawkins, Johnny Abarrientos, Jerry Codiñera, Nelson Asaytono, Noli Locsin, EJ Feihl and Rodney Santos will play an exhibition match against the Malolos Agila team, led by City Mayor Chris Natividad, as part of the opening ceremonies.

Former PBA Ginebra cager Dudut Jaworski will be the guest speaker while Sen. Sonny Angara is expected to play in the exhibition game with either team, according to Hizon.

The Pampanga Foton Tornadoes will play the Malolos Mighty Bulsu squad in the first match, which will be aired over People’s Television Network Channel 4.

Foton, the largest truck assembler based in Clark, Pampanga, led by president Rommel Sytin, is one of the main supporters of the league along with Molten-Spalding, Mighty Sports Apparel and several PBA players who all share in discovering and developing young Filipino talents in the provinces and local communities.

The home-and-away league has lined up matches of Quezon City, Marikina, Malolos and other NCR and Central Luzon teams in the succeeding games next month.

Hizon said that this is the first basketball league of its kind – less costly non-professional tournament. It will also be aired on select cable channels, including FOX TV electronic media and provincial cable stations.

Noted sportscaster Sev Sarmenta, Patricia Hizon and other basketball analysts will be part of FBA’s broadcast group, FBA vice-president Lenito Serrano, Jr. said.

Hizon added that PBA Commissioner Chito Salud and officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by Philippine sports benefactor Manuel V. Pangilinan with executive director Sonny Barrientos have said that “they will extend all kinds of support to FBA to fulfill its advocacy of helping the Filipino youth, and undiscovered sports talents become internationally competitive athletes”.

“SBP officials said they will encourage other provincial groups nationwide to join FBA through their regional offices”, Serrano added.