At A Glance
- Sinag Liga Asya is living up to its promise of delivering a quality grassroot tournament in Mindanao with its Junior World Showcase that got going over the weekend in Cagayan de Oro City
Sinag Liga Asya is living up to its promise of delivering a quality grassroot tournament in Mindanao with its Junior World Showcase that got going over the weekend in Cagayan de Oro City
A total of 36 teams across the 13, 15, 17, 19, and 21-Under divisions from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and overseas participated in the meet with all of the Mindanaoans enjoying the basketball action.
“Iyong mga taga-Cagayan nga nagsasabi sa akin na, you know, for quite a while, ngayon lang nila nakita ulit na punong-punong ang isang gym,” SLA's Rocky Chan said of the July 5-11 tourney being held at the Xavier University Gym and University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines Gym.
“It's the first international basketball tournament here in Mindanao and dito pa sa Cagayan de Oro. Para sa akin, because I'm from Mindanao, I'm from Cagayan de Oro, it takes pride to host it as the chairman of the league and to have it here in my hometown. At the same time we really want to develop iyong programa, na equal ang opportunity,” he added.
SLA president Ray Alao, chief operating officer Leo Isaac, Commissioner Rodney Santos, and deputy commissioners John Ferriols and EJ Feihl were all hands on in the tournament that is fully supported by the local government unit of Cagayan de Oro, the Department of Tourism and Philippine Sports Commission.
Chan beamed with pride as the league offers a chance for everyone—especially the young ones—to pursue their hoops dreams.
“They are of the same level, kahit sino puwedeng sumali, kahit sino puwedeng mag-compete. So, we give equal opportunity to bring everyone in a short tournament like this,” he added.