Thursday, August 07, 2008 Duremdes to lead Ticel-Iloilo in NBA Gov's Cup By Henry C. Villalva
FORMER Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) MVP Kenneth Duremdes is seeing action for visiting Ticel-Iloilo in the Negros Basketball Association's 1st Gov. Isidro Zayco Invitational Cup '08 this Saturday at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School.
This was confirmed by NBA officials on Wednesday during a meeting of the NBA board at Dodong's Fastbreak of Bascon Hotel presided by NBA president Oscar "Dodong" Bascon.
"We heard Kenneth Duremdes is seeing action together with former San Miguel Beerman Nelson Asaytono, although this will finally be confirmed on Friday when the teams beat the deadline for submission of their official lineups," said NBA tournament commissioner Bobby Tee.
Duremdes, the former Alaska Aces mainstay was reported recently as asking to be reinstated in the PBA, assuring that he still has a couple of good playing years ahead of him.
He was in Bacolod City last month together with the Mighty Sports team that played exhibition games against Ticel-Iloilo at the Bays Center and against the Silay Selection in Silay City.
"Pamplona Bulls also has a couple of 6'5s and 6'7s expected to boost the team's chances in the Governor's Cup and the other teams also have some other surprises, reportedly some FIL-Ams as re-enforcements," said NBA treasurer Vic Tan.
The NBA Governor's Cup is expected to kick off on Saturday, August 9, 1:30 p.m. with a lot of fanfare and with a fiesta atmosphere guaranteed to make the fans enjoy, with the participation of the La Carlota City Pasalamat Drumbeaters and the West Negros University Glee Club, NBA officials assured.
"We want the fans to really enjoy our opening program on Saturday especially with the selection of a Miss NBA Governor's Cup '08 from among the beautiful muses of the eight participating teams," Tan said.
The team with the best uniform will also receive a special award from organizers.
Governor Isidro Zayco will be the guest of honor and speaker while Mayors Evelio Leonardia of Bacolod City, Salvador Escalante of Cadiz City, Hermilo Aguilar of Hinigaran, Demie Honrado of La Carlota City and Jose "Oti" Montelibano of Silay City will assist Zayco in the traditional ceremonial toss together with Bascon.
Present in Wednesday's NBA board meeting were vice presidents Johnny Ku and lawyer William "Hanz" Chua, secretary Boy Gustilo, treasurer Tan, commissioner Tee and Bascon.
Meanwhile, NBA officials assured that opening day entry passes will be distributed to the different Bacolod barangays through their barangay captains to enable fans to witness the NBA opening which features reigning Bacolod Mayor's Cup titlist West Negros University Mustangs taking on Ticel-Iloilo in the opening game right after Saturday's opening ceremonies.
Games in this series, which is expected to last until September 7, are scheduled every Tuesdays and Thursdays starting 6:30 p.m. and every Saturdays and Sundays starting 2:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold at P25 (reserve) and P10 (bleacher).
