Zamboanga caging unfolds tomorrow

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The City of Zamboanga is set to hold the first Zamboanga Basketball Tournament (ZBT) tomorrow at the Golden Boys Gym to produce more talents from the region where most stars came.

With the theme “Nuevo Liga, Nuevo Bida Para Na Basketbolista de Zamboanga,” five teams will compete for the trophy and P10, 000 cash prize.

They are led by Bounty Fresh Ballers of Boni Omandam, Farrah-J of Junjun Jailani and host Zamboanga team Querobin of former RP youth player Junnie Navarro.

Other competing teams in the tournament supported by Col. Ariel Querubin and Mayor Celso Lobregat are varsity squads Ateneo De Zamboanga U, Azul Agilas of coach Bobedik delos Santos and Southern City Colleges Bulldogs of coach Ednie Morones.

Zamboanga Querubin meets Farrah-J at 6 p.m. in the event organized by tournament head Omar Basir and coordinator Bien Orillo.

The tournament serves as a tribute to the late businessman and basketball patron Rolando ‘Lando’ Navarro Sr., who passed away last May. He was the man behind first national champion Zamboanga in softball.

He organized the Zamboanga Amores, the city’s entry to Liga Pilipinas that gave an opportunity to several talents to get noticed by scouts. A good majority of the Amores players have been distributed among the five teams. 

The tournament, organized by Rolando Navarro Jr. in cooperation with Federation Basketbolista de Zamboanga and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Pedro Alfaro, aims to help local players realize their dreams to play in the pro league.

Throughout the years, the city proved to be a good source of talents with several of its natives going on to play in the PBA and popular collegiate leagues.

Current Smart Gilas player Mark Andy Barroca has been invited to grace the tournament.

Rudy Lingannay and Fritz Bandaying of UE Warriors, RR Reyes and Jens Knuttel of FEU Tamaraws, pro players Eddie Laure, Chico Lanete, Chester Tolomia, Gec Chia, Michael Orquillas, Joseph Yeo, Noynoy Falcasantos, Bernard Tanpua, Bay Cristobal, Jay Mendoza, Boy Marquez and Pedro Alfaro are all products of Zamboanga City.