LIGA PILIPINAS SET TO LAUNCH MAY 31:Pampanga rules northern phase of preseason tourney

After successfully staging its first pre-season tournaments this week, its all systems go for Launch Day of the country's newest regional basketball league – Liga Pilipinas – in Cebu City, Saturday.

The initial batch of 14 teams will be unveiled in the formal yet simple opening rites led by the Pampanga Buddies and Cebu Ninos, the North and South pre-season champions. Other teams include the Ilocos Snipers, Baguio Victory, Taguig Batang Global, Laguna Stallions, Iloilo Warriors, Misamis Oriental Meteors, Zamboanga Amores, Pagadian Explorers, Ozamiz Cota, Quezon team and two newly admitted members, Batangas Barakos and the Cavite Heroes.

A formal press conference will precede the launching. Expected to attend are key Liga officials led by Noli Eala, Liga Pilipinas CEO and President. Highlight of the press conference is the planned official announcement of a television partnership with the government network NBN-4.

Festive activities kick off Saturday's launch day for the fledgling organization starting off with a Team Owners Unity Basketball game at the Cebu Coliseum at 9 am followed by a VIP lunch to be hosted by Eala at the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers.

At 2 pm, the full Liga schedule will be announced to the teams after a short board meeting of Pinoy Basketbol Inc., mother company of Liga Pilipinas. The formal launch program begins at 6:30 pm at the Grand Ballroom, Casino Espanol de Cebu.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan has been invited to deliver the keynote speech during the opening ceremonies.

"The fun and excitement of regional basketball is back. We are proud of the modest gains of Liga at this infancy stage. Now the real work begins," remarked Eala, who will be joined at the opening ceremonies by Liga officials Tac Padilla, Michelle Lhullier, Tito Palma, Jose Soberano, Misamis Oriental governor Oscar Moreno, and Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino.

Meanwhile, Pampanga routed Laguna, 80-59, to clinch the northern title of the Liga Pilipinas preseason tournament at the C.P. Tinga gym in Taguig.

Emerson Oreta had 17 points and Christian Luanzon added 16 as the Buddies broke out of tight first half to gain pivotal control in the third quarter, outscoring the Stallions, 23-16.

Ilocos Sur nipped host Taguig, 83-82, to take third place.

"Every small step we take is a step towards the realization of the dreams for regional basketball," said Eala. "The preseason was a giant step."

Liga basketball operations chief Butch Antonio described the pre-season games as a "dry run" for the upcoming maiden season of Liga Pilipinas.

"Not only were the teams given the opportunity to gauge their level of preparedness for our inaugural season, the preseason competition also gave Liga a chance to test our officials, referees and operating systems," Antonio said.

Scores:

PAMPANGA 80 – Oreta 17, Luanzon 16, Villamin 12, Bansil 12, Alcaraz 10, Evangelista 6, Viscarra 3, Flor 2, Legaspi 2, Liangco 0.

LAGUNA 59 – Cruz 22, Ebuen 10, Dedicatoria 6, Ricafrente 6, Musni 5, Raymundo 4, Valderama 3, Retaga 2, Angeles 1.

Quarters : 14-17; 39-34; 62-50; 80-59.

ILOCOS SUR 83 – Kalaw 13, Reyes M. 10, Solis 10, Catamora 7, Cabatu 7, Guiyab 7, Ico 6, Reyes U. 5, Yambao 5, Lopez 4, Mendoza 3, Balares 3, Basilides 3, Tiongson 0.

TAGUIG 82 – Marquez 25, Matias 15, Gatumbato 8, Latoreno 7, Bombeo 6, Rodriguez 6, Ortiguerra 5, Reguerra 5, Fajardo 3, Ripalda 2, Vijandre 0.

Quarters : 19-14; 44-37; 62-61; 83-82.