FIBL sees bigger, balanced 9th season

MANILA, Philippines –  After another successful year, the Fil-Indian Basketball League (FIBL) looks forward to its ninth season with so much enthusiasm with new innovations to further generate interest and fresh faces to emerge.

“The league will continue in its quest to improve, innovate and inspire by looking into developmental aspects that may well go beyond just basketball,” said commissioner Dilip Budhrani at the close of the league’s eighth season recently.

The Blue Sharks toppled the Kings, 82-57, in sudden death of their best-of-three series to capture the crown before a big crowd at the Makati Coliseum.

The Sharks, led by MVP Manoj Chandumal, Vladimir Singh, Gurdeep Dhaliwal and Mirpuri, worked on their defense to stifle the Kings and retain the championship.

“There was a big adjustment here in our defense,” said Sharks coach Gabby Velasco. “I think we surprised them with our defense.”

Budhrani said there would be more surprises next season with the league expecting the possible return of Ajeet Singh, a former Goodwill Cup top rookie and Mythical 5 member and currently in the National University roster in the UAAP.

“The FIBL stands out as a benchmark of how sports play a crucial role in youth development,” said Budhrani, citing the staging of the Junior Jammer, a clinic for the youth.

Budhrani also promised a more competitive series next year with the entry of more promising rookies and veterans in the annual draft.

In the just-concluded season, Chandumal led the talent-laden draft roster with the two-time MVP staying with the Blue Sharks. The other top draftees were Avin Chulani, Mukesh Mohnani, Ravi Gurnamal.

In the rookie draft, two players stood out, including RJ Chandumal and Jasjit Dhaliwal, who went to the Bombers and the Kings, respectively.

Meanwhile, RJ Chandumal led this year’s awardees, bagging the MVP and top rookie awards. The other players were Kishore Mirpuri (rebound king), Sanjeev Gangwani (top blocker), Ravi Gurnamal (No. 1 in assist), Prashant Dargani (most improved player), Gurdeep Dhaliwal, (top defensive player), Vladimir Singh (sportsmanship), and Anthony Sarda (most durable player).

On hand during the awards rites were Indian Ambassador Yogendra Kumar, Federation of Filipino-Indian Chambers of Commerce president Ramesh Dargani, Will Antonio of the Powerade Tigers, James Martinez of the UE Red Warriors, and Sudan Daniel, twins David and Anthon Semerad of the NCAA champion San Beda Red Lions and Budhrani.

In line with FIBL’s vision of “more than just basketball,” the league also cited Filipino-Indian individuals for their achievements.

They were Chitra Deepak Punjabi, the topnotcher in the 2010 Physician Licensure Examination, Sam Gogna for his success in the media entertainment industry, and Ajay Pathak, a tennis enthusiast and tournament organizer.