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Bud Cup commissioner encouraging teams to sign up
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Posted on Jan 15 2006
With the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands shooting for the Budweiser Cup to get underway next month, league commissioner Abner Venus is strongly encouraging all interested teams to get on board as soon as possible.
In a recent interview, Venus said the intention to start the league next month is to provide a venue for the CNMI Men’s National basketball team to sharpen their skills and work together in preparation for the upcoming Micronesian Games.
“We really need to get this started,” Venus said. “The Micro Games is in June, and we want to have a strong team, and one way of doing that is by providing our team a league that the players can compete in so that they face real competition.”
Venus added by providing the National squad a league to compete in, adjustments can be made so that the team prepares that best it could before taking on other countries in the region.
Meanwhile, Venus reiterated that the Bud Cup will have age restrictions this time around, with all players required to be at the age of 21 years or older.
He added, though, that players under the age of 21 could still play only if they are members of the National team.
“The only one that this rule will not apply to is the National team,” he said.
Venus said that like before, the entry fee for the Bud Cup will be $900, and urged interested teams to contact him as soon as possible. The fee covers membership and uniforms, which will be provided by the league.
“To avoid delays, everything should be turned in as soon as possible,” he said. “It’s still the same set up, so most of the teams already know what is expected of them.”
The winner of the Bud Cup will go home with $1,000, while second place receives $300. Third place receives $200.
Expected to return to defend their title is Bud Light-Toyota Tundra, which has won each Bud Cup since its inaugural season.
BANMI president Mike Muna had earlier announced that a meeting will be held on Jan. 23 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference to discuss the Bud Cup, as well as he Micro Games and the possible start of the 25-and-under Basketball League.
For more information about the Budweiser Cup, contact Venus at 234-5911.
