FBL fifth season attracts 42 teams

MANILA, Philippines - The 2009 Primovit -Futures Basketball League (FBL) opens its 5th season on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Ateneo de Manila High School covered courts with a total of 42 teams including all of last year’s team champions in the different divisions.

A nation-wide school-based basketball grassroots development program organized by the Futures Sports & Events, this year’s league features 9 girls’ teams,5 mini teams, 12 teams in the midgets division and 16 boys’ junior teams that will see action in the three-month long weekend tournament also sponsored by Samsung Digital Cameras, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, Gatorade, Sportspray, Philips Gadgets & Accessories, and AccordCapital.

Defending girls’ champion is San Beda College-Alabang, Xavier School is looking forward to retaining its title this year, Don Bosco Technical Institute defends its midgets division crown while Colegio de San Juan de Letran lorded it over in last year’s boys’ juniors division.

“We take pride in the fact that the FBL has steadily been gaining acceptance among the different schools not just in Metro Manila but also in Cebu, Bacold, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro where we have held similar basketball tournaments to promote the development of the country’s young players, “ said Tournament Director Tyrone Limon.

A total of 12 games are scheduled to be played on the opening day at the Ateneo de Manila, other venues for the tournament are Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati, San Beda College-Alabang, and Xavier School in San Juan.