Salud to grace MMTLB opening

MANILA, Philippines - PBA commissioner Chito Salud has been invited as one of the special guests when the Metro Manila Tiong Lian Basketball Association launches its 42nd edition on Saturday with a promise of another exciting action at the Uno High School gym.

Salud will be joined by officials and supporters of host Grace Christian College in simple opening ceremonies where former stars of the premier Fil-Chinese league will be honored.

GCC president James Tan is chairman of the MMTLBA which will have a theme: “Moving forward, Achieving Unity”.

Among the former stars who made significant contributions to the growth of the league were Fortunato (Atoy) Co, Lim Eng Beng, Sunny Co, Alfrancis Chua, Woody Co, TY Tang, Joseph Yeo, Chris Tiu, Christian Luangzon and Jeric Teng.

Chua, who steered Stag-Tanduay to six championships in the now defunct PBL before handling several teams in the pro league, has been tapped as commissioner of the Juniors Division.

The league, according to MMTLBA board chair Bonnie Tan of the host school, will also hold competitions in the Aspirants and Girls High School divisions.

The 1:30 p.m. showdown between five-peat-seeking Xavier School and Chiang Kai Shek College will highlight the three-game schedule of the event presented by Regan Industrials Sales Inc. and World Balance and supported by Uratex, Burlington, Summit Drinking Water, 100 Plus, Supreme Steel Pipe, Superior Pipe, Ace Water Spa and Molten.

Other teams competing in the six-week tournament are St. Stephen’s High School, St. Jude Catholic School and Uno High School.