SEVEN teams will see action as the first Mindanao Banana Farmers and Exporters Association (MBFEA) Basketball League opens at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at the Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) Petro Gazz Arena.
League director Aldin Celi of Basketball Avenue said four teams are from banana growing companies ARR, MPUJ/Cherrylume, Jade Green and Tadeco, while the rest are commercial teams Montaña Pawnshop, H-team and Mafs Customs Brokerage.
MBFEA president William Castro, in a recent Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao, said the tournament will benefit children, saying, "This fundraising is for an IP school as it needs another classroom."
He also said that it also serves as a venue for MBFEA members to bond with each other.
MBFEA executive director Gladys Garcia, for her part, said she is hopeful that they would continue holding the tournament so they could help more IP schools.
The teams will play a single round robin format in the eliminations where the top four teams will advance to the knockout semifinals. Semis winners will then advance to the championship match. A cash prize of P50,000 awaits the champion while the runner-up will take home P10,000.
Games will be played in 15 days.