Big test looms for MBA

The Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) opens its fifth season today hoping to deliver the same level of competitiveness in the face of economic constraints, a dwindling field and minus the giant network that propped it up in the past.

Despite all these daunting challenges, the MBA is confident it could pull off a successful season with the entry of more corporate backers, particularly outside of the metropolis.

League officials have welcomed the test of going it alone after ABS-CBN begged off from supporting the MBA, aware that the season about to unfold would be the true gauge whether it could survive under its unique community-based concept.

From a total of 14 teams in its first two seasons, the field is down to eight teams – four each coming from the north and the south. The field includes returning teams like Pampanga, Pangasinan and Cagayan de Oro, and newcomer Olongapo.

Gone, too, are certified MBA standouts like Chris Calaguio, Omanzie Rodriguez, Chito Victolero, Danny Capobres and Homer Se who have all transferred to the PBA.

Pampanga, which won the national title during the league’s maiden year in 1988, took a leave of absence in 2000 along with Pangasinan and a couple other teams while Cagayan de Oro left the scene the following year.

Aside from Pampanga, Pangasinan and Olongapo, also in the northern side is LBC Batangas, the reigning national champion. Joining Cagayan in the south are Cebu, Davao and Negros.

Today’s opening games will be held at the Cebu City Coliseum with the Gems expected to lean on its hometown crowd in a game against the Pangasinan Stars, a team led by Romel Adducul and Chris Clay. The other game pits Cagayan de Oro against Davao.

The opening ceremony will feature local talents from the University of Visayas and University of San Jose Recoletos and a duet between Louie Heredia and Janine Desiderio, who will sing the MBA theme "Bring Back the Dream."

Commissioner Chito Loyzaga will formally declare the MBA’s fifth season open with Cebu City Vice Mayor and acting mayor Mike Rama as special guest. The opening will be aired over NBN-4.