SHABA 10th season opens tomorrow at Sacred Heart gym

The Sacred Heart Alumni Basketball Association (SHABA) will kick off its 10th season bearing the theme "A Decade of Fun Friendship and Friendly Competition" 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Sacred Heart School-Jesuit gym.

"This year is so important for SHABA. It's already the 10th season of the tournament and Sacred Heart is also celebrating its the 50th anniversary," said SHABA President Joey Gaisano.

SHABA is under a new commissioner in Hermogenes Anciado, who steered the High School varsity team to win the crown in last year's ML Kwarta Padala Basketball Tournament.

"We also have three new teams joining us namely Batches 2001, 2002, and 2005," added Gaisano.

Composing the 12 squads, which is divided into Lux Oriens and Eagles division are Batch 2000-Pagcor, '92-Edcon Glass and Alumni, '96 White Gold Gaisano Club, Batch '98 GEF-CARRIER, '95, Cebu Del Norte, '99 Worldwide Stell '99, '97C Man-Tech, '97 A Gillamac, and '90 Fighter Wine.

Five-time champion Batch '90 Fighter Wine is the oldest and the most formidable force, boasting the longest running winning streak with 31, while its six-time MVP Dave Lim is making a comeback after missing last year's season.

They are also reinforcing Fil-Am players.

On the other hand, defending champion Batch '97 Space Burger remains intact and will now be bearing a new name Gillamac.

Although, there were requests to change venue because of the cemented court, Gaisano said they opted to stick with Sacred Heart gym because many alumni have not visited the school after several years.

"We are inviting everyone in the opening of the 10th season, hopefully it will be filled with fun and friendship," said Gaisano. - Sona Mae V. Povadora