Tiong Lian caging gets going

Xavier School opens its title-retention bid against Hope Christian High School as the 2009 Yakult 39th Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association tournament unwraps today at the UNO High School gym.

The opening rites set at 12 noon precedes the explosive triplebill with PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad invited as one of the guest speakers in the annual tournament among the country’s premier Fil-Chinese schools.

Though the Golden Stallions will be without prolific forward Gabriel Banal, who has graduated, the San Juan-based school, managed by Caesar Wongchuking, remains as the overwhelming favorite when it battles Hope Christian at 4 p.m.

With Banal out, Jeric Teng, last year’s scoring champion, will have a new frontcourt partner in younger brother Jeron, also a force to reckon with in the shaded lane.

Clashing in the opening game at 1 p.m. are this year’s host UNO High School and 2007 champion Chiang Kai Shek College while St. Stephen’s High School collides with St. Jude Catholic School at 2:30 p.m. in the event backed by PG Flex Linoleum, Converse, Puma, Davies Paint, FG Jeans, Rusty Lopez, Burlington, MEC Computer and Healthy Options.

Grace Christian College, the seventh member of the league, drew an opening bye. Games will be televised by Makisig Sports Network on SkyCable (Channel 76 and 82).

Milton Yu, chairman of MMTLBA, expects a wide open race with the rest of the teams raring to foil the Xavier Golden Stallions’ bid.

Xavier beat Chiang Kai Shek for the crown last year, their seventh title and first under coach Lito Vergara.

Aside from Chiang Kai Shek, Vergara picked UNO High School and St. Stephen’s as the teams likely to contend for the champioinship. St. Stephen’s High School beat Chiang Kai Shek for the Chinese Federation title last October.

Aside from the Teng brothers, also expected to shine this year are Kim Lo (St. Jude), Mark Ronald Chua (UNO), Lawrence Chua (Grace Christian), Christian So (Grace Christian), Steven Chua (Chiang Kai Shek) and Aeschylus Tan (Hope Christian).

There are actually three divisions in the tournament -- Girls High School, Aspirants (Boys - age 14 and under) and Juniors (Boys - age 15 to 19).

NCA World Slashers launched on Monday

The National Cockers Alliance will launch the NCA World Slasher Championship Derby, considered as the Olympics of cockfighting, on Monday at the Mindoro Room of the Edsa Shangrila Hotel in Mandaluyong.

Top American cockers participating along with the country’s best will grace the press launch of the event slated Jan. 13, 15 and 17 at the Ynares Center in Pasig City.

Prominent Filipino cockers have teamed up with their American counterparts for the derby, including Gerry Ramos with George Torres, Norlan Rockwell, James Campbell, and former Cong. Claude Bautista; JV Magsaysay with Damon Yorkman; the Firefly Group with Larry Whitehead, Joe Wolcott, Dan Gray, and Carl Stichard of Ohio; the Binangonan Group with Mickey Tallent and Ty Tallent; Romy Arciaga with Wayne Spurlock of Kentucky; and Patrick Antonio with Joe Sanford of San Francisco.

NCA members and other guests will also be on hand on the press launch, including NCA stalwarts Cong. Iggy Arroyo, Gov. Ito Ynares, the Firefly Group, Patrick Antonio, Manny Santos, Armand Santos, Efren Canlas, Jun Jinco, Rudy Jinco, Sec. Ronnie Puno, Danny Valero, Gerry Ramos, Ferdie Buensalida, Eric dela Rosa, Toto Sevilla, William Go, James Uy, Benjie Lim, Bebot Villar, Edwin Santos, Danny Teves, Ruel Ricafort, Mario Villamor, Ric de Guzman, Louie Martinez, Rene Medina, Ellan Nagaño, Boyet Joson, Rudy Albano, Jimmy Ang, Danny Mendoza, Bebot Uy, Rey Tambis, Bobby Mailig, Butch Pichay, and Rey Briones.