THE Negros Basketball Association (NBA) board headed by its president Oscar ‘Dodong’ Bascon is scheduled to meet with team representatives of prospective participating teams in the 2nd Gov. Isidro Zayco Cup Open invitational basketball tournament, which is tentatively set to kick off either on Nov. 21 or Nov. 28 at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School.

The meeting with the team representatives is scheduled 11AM Friday at the Dodong’s Fastbreak of Bascon Hotel.

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During an initial meeting, the NBA board decided to invite some 10-12 teams to compete in this year’s edition of the tournament which is the NBA’s contribution to the sports development program of the provincial government.

The teams being eyed to compete this year include defending champion Ticel Corporation of Iloilo which is owned by businessman Tito Lopez. Last year’s losing finalist West Negros University Mustangs, University of St. La Salle Stingers, Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod Eagles, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Rams, LGU-supported teams like Province of Negros Occidental, Cadiz City Whales, Silay City, La Carlota City Iron Dinosaurs, and Hinigaran.

The NBA is also sending invitations to several teams from outside Negros, including the Iloilo Mang Inasals, the MP GenSan Warriors of Manny Pacquiao and the Misamis Oriental Meteors of Gov. Oscar Moreno, among others. 

Bascon said Tuesday the NBA envisions this year’s tournament to be a much bigger event coming after the unprecedented success of last year’s inaugural series which was participated by 8 teams and topped by powerhouse Ticel featuring the likes of Kenneth Duremdes, Reynel Hugnatan and Tonyboy Espinosa in its lineup.

Interested teams may contact the NBA at Bascon Hotel through tel. nos. 4354072 and 4331393 during office hours through Ms. Nelia Naluis.(HCV)