Businesses invited to join govt caging

Government basketball league coordinator Joey Dela Cruz has renamed the league to PTI Inter-Government and Business League after he sent out an invitation to all local businesses to join them in the competition.

The league is set to open on May 19 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium where at least 13 teams will be participating from various government departments and agencies.

The entrance fee is $500 where half of it can be paid before the start of the league, while the remaining amount must be paid on or before the teams’ third game. Checks can be made payable to the Division of Sports and Recreation.

Last week, PTI became the major sponsor of the 2008 season of the annual government basketball league. Present during the signing were Dela Cruz and co-coordinator Mario Sablan. PTI marketing associate Brad E. Ruszala was on hand for the sponsoring company and discussed the details of PTI’s sponsorhip.

PTI regularly supports youth and adult teams in a vast number of sporting events as part of its continuing commitment to the people of the CNMI.

Thirteen teams have already showed interest in joining the 2008 season of the Inter-Government Basketball League, which opens on May 19, Monday, 6pm at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The 13-team field is led by defending champion Office of the Public Auditor and last year’s runner-up Northern Marianas College-Proa. The other 11 squads are Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Commonwealth Health Center, Department of Corrections, Airport Rescue Fire Fighters, Tinian, Aguaguat, Ports Police, Legislature, Fire, Department of Public Works/Procurement and Supply, and Saipan Mayor’s Office.

The tournament will follow a single round-robin format with the Top 8 teams advancing to the double-elimination round playoffs. Games will be played every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with the first and second games scheduled at 6:30pm and 8pm.

Last year, OPA defeated NMC-Proa, 2-1, in their three-game series.

Proa opened the race-to-two title match with an 82-79 win in Game 1 but OPA bounced back with a 76-63 victory to force a rubber.

OPA then did not let the opportunity slip away from their hands and scored a 99-82 rout of NMC Proa in Game 3 to wrap up the series.

For more information about the government basketball league, call Dela Cruz at 664-2503 or 287-6509.