MBA @ 10
MARCH 7, 2008 should have marked the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA).
It was like only yesterday that the lavish opening ceremonies were held with no less than President Fidel V. Ramos and the legendary Carlos Loyzaga as the guests of honor at the Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
All 12 pioneer teams were there to parade that Saturday afternoon. Anjanette Abayari led the cheerleaders. There was even a helicopter during the opening to take an aerial shot of the venue.
The first game was the Manila Metrostars of Louie and Jomi Chuidian and Coach Ricky Dandan versus the Cebu Gems of Jean Henri Lhuillier and Coach Jun Tan. Forward Peter Martin scored the first basket and his Metrostars went on to win the game.
The host Pangasinan Presidents of Tim Orbos and Coach Dong Vergeire bowed to the gritty Socsargen Marlins of Ben Solon and Coach Biboy Ravanes in the featured contest. The Marlins drew great plays from Max Delantes and Malai Malabanan.
The next day (March 8 ), the group motored down to the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in the City of San Fernando for the second doubleheader.
Those were the days . . . .
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