Panasonic Cup begins in San Pablo

SAN PABLO CITY–Basketball takes centerstage here today when the Panasonic NBL Regional Cup 2003 unwraps at the Florante Aquino Stadium.

Two teams which count with veterans and talented youngsters–newcomer Ilocos Sur Snipers and Spring Cooking Oil-San Pablo Lakers–clash at 5 p.m. after the simple opening ceremony.

NBL chairman Christian Tan will give an inspirational message. Other important guests are Mayor Florante "Boy" Aquino, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga, Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Savellano, Laguna Gov. Teresita Lazaro, Panasonic Phils. president Rodolfo Perez, Adamson University president Fr. Jaime Belita, Molten Basketball president Anil Buxani and Tony Fabico.

Seven other teams are vying in the tourney sponsored by Panasonic, BJ Star Logistics, Sulpicio Lines, Molten Basketball, Nature’s Spring and Vaporin. These are defending champion Ozamiz City, Forward Taguig, back-to-back titlist M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu, Pampanga, Adamson-Vaporin, MayniLA and Negros.

"Our mission is to encourage the youth to get involved in sports and keep them away from vices. We see basketball as the proper venue because basketball will give them a better life. That’s the reason we decided to tie up with the National Basketball League, which promotes the sport in the countryside," said Panasonic’s Garcia during yesterday’s press conference at Mandarin Hotel.

This is the first time that Panasonic is playing a major role in local basketball, added Garcia, who stressed that his firm’s sponsorship is in line with their slogan "Ideas for Life."

The Snipers and the Lakers are expected to wage a close fight. Both teams carry talent-laden rosters.

The Snipers will be bannered by ex-PBA players Oliver Agapito and Kenny Evans, Kalani Ferreria and UE’s Philip Butel while the Lakers boast NBA All-Stars Rodel Manuel, Mario Reyes and Theody Habelito and crack NU point guard Froilan Baguion.