LIGA PILIPINAS LAUNCHED
June 3, 2008

Cebu City – “Pride and Passion” was the central theme as the country’s newest and biggest regional basketball league, Liga Pilipinas, opened its maiden season in simple yet meaningful launching ceremonies held at the Grand Ballroom, Casino Espanol de Cebu last Saturday night.

League officials led by Liga Vice Chairman of the Board, Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno and President/CEO Noli Eala together with team owners and head coaches of the initial 14 charter teams of Liga attended the launching event where the highlight of the program was the symbolic signing of the Protocol of Constitution by all the teams expressing solidarity and unity in the league.

In his keynote address, BAP-SBP Vice Chairman, Ricky Vargas speaking on behalf of SBP President Manny V. Pangilinan, lauded the fledgling organization for its vision and objectives of contributing to grassroots development of basketball particularly in the provinces. Vargas acknowledged the vital role Liga plays in providing young basketball players a competitive venue in the regions while offering income opportunities all year long.

For his part, Eala challenged all the teams “to play with pride and passion and to offer Liga games to others in the form of service and hard work”. Eala vowed to improve the work began by the predecessors of Liga in developing the concept of regional, community based basketball.

The launch ceremonies formally unveiled the 14 official teams that will see action in the first National Championship of Liga starting with its unique “Tour Phase” and “home and away” format .

Top officials of the teams who attended the ceremonies included Danny Soria and Patrick Gregorio (Baguio Victory), Councilor Raul Alcoseba (Cebu Ninos), Governor DV Savellano and Mayor Tito Purissima (Ilocos Sur Bravehearts), David Recio and Jerry Jaranilla (Iloilo Mang Inasals), Paul Gueco and Gil Cortez (Pampanga Buddies), Governor Moreno (Mis-Or Meteors), Jude Roque (Taguig Batang Global), Wilson Co (Pagadian Explorers), Erwin Genuino and Arne Navarra (Laguna Stallions), Rolando Navarro Jr. (Zambaonga Amores), Mayor Bambol Tolentino (Cavite Heroes), and Ryan Maminta (Quezon Red Oilers). Liga Director Tito Palma and Basketball Operations Head Butch Antonio represented the Ozamiz Cota and Lipa Barakos respectively.

Launch day began with a Unity game played by several team owners and Liga officials against the coaching staff of the Cebu Ninos led by ex PBA players Willie Generelao, Jay Ramirez, Lou Regidor and Tata Merced at the Cebu Coliseum. The Ninos’ coaching staff nipped Liga 99-98.

The inaugural 2 legs of the Liga Tour phase commences on June 11 with Ilocos Sur playing host to Laguna, Cebu and Cavite while Mis-Or playing in its homecourt against visiting teams from Zamboanga, Quezon and Taguig.

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