Parade kicks off Mobil league

The 2005 Mobil Oil Co-ed Invitational Basketball League got underway last night, unfolding with a parade of teams, a brief opening ceremony, followed by the ceremonial toss at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Aside from the CNMI Women’s National Team, all participating squads showed off their new uniforms and banners during introduction, marching into the gym to the sound of applause from supporting fans.

In addition to the national squad, others anxious to show their stuff on the hard court during the 5th edition of the league are defending champion Aqua Resort Club, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., McDonald’s, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach, Microl-Toyota, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Pacific Development Inc., and host and last year’s runner up Mobil Oil Marianas.

The ceremony, led by league coordinator Abner Venus and Mobil representative Jojo Dadivas, also featured the presentations of appreciation plaques to the sponsors of each team. Reigning most valuable player Bogs Dayrit of ARC then led all players in reading the sportsmanship pledge.

Each team captain was then summoned to the official scorers table for a drawing of numbers to determine the schedule for the regular season.

ARC began its title defense against CUC, which was No. 2 in the draw. Shortly after their match was a battle between McDonald’s and Hyatt.

Results of the games were not available as of pres time.

All games will be played on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the curtain opener set for 6:30pm and the second game at 8pm.

Taking the court on Tuesday are Dai-Ichi and Microl in the first game, while CPA and Mobil bang heads in the second match.

Designated referees for the season include Dado Vistal, Jess Pacheco, Ray Lizama, Noel Delos Santos, Venus, and Chris Domingo.

Meanwhile, those in attendance were provided with food and drinks courtesy of the sponsors.

A ladies free throw contest and men’s 3-point shoot-out was also featured during halftimes of yesterday’s games.

Teams have until their second game to revise their roster, and can’t see action until all waiver forms are signed and submitted. Female players, however, can be changed or added to the roster throughout the season.

Venus said the league would have a single-round elimination, where the Top 4 teams advance to the Final Four.

In the semifinals, the top seed goes up against the fourth seed and the No. 2 and No. 3 teams square off. Victors of both contests advance to the winner-take-all championship.

Aqua Resort emerged as champion of the Mobil invitational after defeating Mobil in a winner-take-all finals match, 103-93, last May 23 at the Ada Gym.

The win snapped a 13-year title draught for the Achague-based hotel. The Mobil crown was previously worn by Tan Holdings Co. (2001), Microl (2002), and PDI (2003).

For more information on the 2005 Mobil Oil Marianas Invitational Co-ed Basketball League, contact Venus at 287-5911 or Dadivas at 483-3363.