Three big tourneys on MBL sked

MANILA, Philippines - Buoyed up by its tremendous success in the year that was, the Millennium Basketball League (MBL) will hold at least three big tournaments in 2010.

MBL chairman Alex Wang said the MBL will have another busy calendar this year starting with the MBL Open basketball championship tentatively scheduled in March as part of its 11th anniversary celebrations.

“This will be our 11th anniversary this year, so we’ll leave no stone unturned to ensure the success of our tournaments,” said Wang, who co-founded the league with businessman-sportsman Elias Ang and George Palaran in 2000.

Wang also appointed multi-titled coach Loreto “Ato” Tolentino as MBL commissioner and Albert Andaya as tournament director for the second straight year.

Aside from the MBL Open, the other tournaments in the calendar are the MBL Invitational in September and the MBL Chairman’s Cup in December.

Last year, Ocean Fresh-Lyceum defeated University of Santo Tomas-Dickies Underwear to capture the title in the MBL Open last June.

Wang’s Ballclub defeated Zycare Pharma-University of Manila to rule the MBL Invitational early last month.

Aquady’s, Inc., handled by the late Ashley Barreras and manager Alex Jaleco, beat PRC Couriers to win the title in the MBL Chairman’s Cup also held last month.

Among the sponsors of MBL were Smart Communications, Dickies Underwear, PRC Couriers and Jose’s Chicken Inasal.