1st LBC-Liga Pinoy Basketball opens today

The long wait is over. Let the games begin.
Today, all roads lead to Ahmad Khaki Sports Complex (Orca) basketball court on Tahlia Street for the launch of the 1st LBC-Liga Pinoy Basketball Tournament.
A final meeting attended by participating teams with their coaches and managers was held on Tuesday to pave the way for the tournament opening today. The program starts at 5 p.m.
The tournament featuring 35 teams in five categories aims to bring the pizzaz back in the game, according to Liga Pinoy Commissioner James Roxas, a veteran organizer who is coming back to the Filipino basketball scene after a nine months hiatus.
For starters, a high profile clash between Open Rated teams Samco-Marogong and Al Ghadeer Al Arabia-Lanao Lakers headlines today’s triplebill.
Samco-Marogong whose participation in this tournament enjoys the support of Samco GM Ramon Soriano will be led by former Purefoods PBA player Boyet Bautista along with fellow recruits from Manila Raymond Matias, Joseph Ubalde and Kiel Yutuc.
To banner the Ghadeer-Lanao Lakers basketball team are the likes of James Smith, Christian Guimpatan, JR Piedra, Mark Basa and Jay Liam.
Samco’s arch-rival Shadow Lounge of Francis Magat which will carry the Samsung colors and the Egyptian select team round out the four teams vying for the Open Rated championship.
Also up for grabs are championships in the Inter-Commercial Strong, Inter-Commercial Non-Rated divided into groups A, B and C, Open Non-Rated and Inter-Toyota, a tournament within a tournament of the JAFC (Jameel Associates Fitness Club) chaired by Camelo Melendez under the auspices of ALJ DAO Vice President Office.
Inter-Toyota features 13 teams and will have a parallel opening ceremony next Friday.
LBC Express Inc. is the major sponsor of the tournament. Bryan Javier, LBC-KSA marketing specialist, helped facilitate the sponsorship.
The minor sponsors are Toyota, Mobily Globe, Samsung through Muhaid Osman, promotion and development manager; Alicafé and Dole of Multibrands Al Ghadeer Al Arabia of Sheikh Jamal.
The BRG (Basketball Referees Group) of Lito Dela Cruz will handle the tournament officiating.