MBA mulls new sked due to Jones Cup

The Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) is seriously considering revising the schedule of its forthcoming National Tournament in order to accommodate the league’s participation in this year’s R. William Jones Cup in Taiwan. The event is set July 13 to 24.

"The invitation extended by the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) looks very enticing," said MBA Business Development and Marketing Director Ramon Tuason, "Hence, we are studying all means to fit the Jones Cup into our calendar."

The MBA National Tournament will feature the LBC Batangas Blades’ defense of the title they won last year at the expense of the RCPI Negros Slashers, 3-1. The games are set to begin on June 15th with a doubleheader in Olongapo City pitting the Osaka Pangasinan Waves against the Pampanga Stars in the opener and the Blades testing the host Olongapo Volunteers in the main game.

"Definitely, we want to send the best team possible because national pride is at stake here," Tuason said. "We Filipinos love basketball so much and it is only fitting that we give back to our fans who have always supported us for the last five years."

In a related matter, MBA commissioner Joaquin Loyzaga was honored by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during "The Salute To The Filipino Athlete" held last May 27 at the Westin Philippine Plaza. The commissioner was honored for being part of the silver medal winning team in men’s basketball at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games.

Loyzaga also was part of the gold medal winning team to the 1978 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Junior Championship in Manila. Former MBA commissioner Ramon Fernandez received a similar honor, as he was also part of the 1990 Beijing Asiad team.