Panlilio graces ISAA inaugurals

MANILA, Philippines – Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio will be the special guest of honor when the eight season of the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA) kicks off next week at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The newly elected head of the country’s governing body for basketball is expected to deliver the inspirational message during the opener of the league to be hosted by St. Dominic College of Asia and which has “Walong Taon Na PagkakaISAA Para Sa Kabataang Atleta” as its theme this year.

Four games usher in the opening day of competition set Sept. 6.

Defending champion PATTS College of Aeronautics battles La Consolacion College to begin hostilities in the centerpiece event of basketball at 10 a.m. followed by the match-up between Saint Dominic College and Manila Tytana Colleges at 12 noon.

The lone junior action between La Consolacion and Tytana will be played at 1:30 p.m. before capping the day with another seniors game pitting Feati University against Philippine Women’s University.

Majority of the league officers led by president Melanie Florentino was at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum yesterday at Shakey’s Malate and discussed the upcoming season of the league first organized in 2009.