SHABA basketball starts today

Defending champion Basic Home Interiors/Home Options Inc. (Batch ‘92, ‘93, ‘95) is ready to defend its title as the 13th season of Sacred Heart Alumni Basketball Association (SHABA) fires off this Sunday, July 20, at the Sacred Heart gym, this city.

Basic Home Interiors/Home Operations starts its title retention bid by playing rivals White Gold Club (’96, ’99, ’00), the team it beat for the title last year, in the opening game.

In all, twelve teams are playing in this year’s edition. Expected to give Basic Home Interiors/Home Options and White Gold Club competition are Hilton Motors Corporation (‘03-‘04), Samsung (‘00, ’05, ‘07), Gaisano Capital (‘02, ‘06), Worldwide Steel (‘97, ‘99, ‘01), Castrol/HCG (‘98, ‘94, ’02), Ralph Wines and Spirits (‘96, ‘98, ‘00), Pier 1 (‘90 and below 96, ‘00), Batch 2008, MTO Technotrends Inc. (‘06, ‘07) and San Mig Lights (‘05).

The tournament will follow the single round robin format wherein the top eight teams will advance to the semifinal rounds. In the second round play-offs and finals, teams will play best-of-three.

The champion will receive a trophy and P10,000 in prize money.

Meanwhile, SHABA has new set of officers with Maynard Ortega as president with Ricky Tio, Allan Abelgas, Erickson Ong, Joey Gaisano and Kenneth Onglatco as board members.

This year’s edition will also have a new commissioner in Bobby “Knight” Inoferio.

During the opening ceremony, former PBA player Allan Abelgas will give the introductory speech while reigning tournament MVP Joel Co will light the torch. Co is currently one of the assistant coaches of Purefoods in the PBA.

The leaders of SHABA have announced the launching of their new website www.theshaba.com where all activities, especially the SHABA tournament, will be posted.

EDCON Glass and Aluminum and Pier One Bar and Grill are this year’s tournament sponsors.