NABA-Greater Toronto Area Basketball League Now Underway

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT
Toronto-Canada
February 5, 2016



The North American Basketball Association - Greater Basketball League started its winter competition on January 23, 2016 at the Gymnasium of Glenforest Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario.

This is the 10th year that NABA is holding the tournament since February 26, 2007.The games are held every Saturday at Glenforest S.S. from January to June 2016.

NABA deputy commissioner Frank Pendon formally opened the event with his welcome address and the reading of the congratulatory message sent in by USA - based NABA commissioner Dr. Ron Damasco. Special guest Consul Shirley Banquicio of the Philippine Consulate in Toronto delivered also her special message.

In his message, Commissioner R. Damasco after profoundly thanking the NABA officials and leaders especially the "Big Three", reminded the participants that "we have come together again for a wholesome recreation entertainment.....that playing basketball is a means to develop competitive spirit, to some it could be recreational and others may view it as a form of enjoyment. For whatever reason.... I urge you all to come again and join hands in solidarity and work together towards the preservation and improvement of our league. Let me reiterate our league's objective and that is to work for the best interest of the tournament as primary goal and that those of our individual team coming secondary."

Hosted by Banj Ruiz, the program included singing of the Canada and Philippine national anthems by Keanna Cerezo of Clique and Fieness Mendoza of Talent Nation-Hamilton, both of whom also rendered special vocal performances.

The sound system was courtesy of Audio Spin Entertainment and the photo - video was covered by PMN TV.

Comprised of Filipino Canadian basketball players, the members of NABA -Team Canada, were introduced by Mike Cruz, city director of Ajax-Durham Crossover. NABA, for the first time, is competing at the SM National
Basketball Training Centre-NBTC Championship on March 13-17, 2016 at the SMMall of Asia in the Philippines The "Athlete's Prayer" & "Oath of Sportsmanship" was led by North York Bantam player Andy Sinclair while
NABA - GTA host city director Roger Tarca, declared the tournament open. Consul Shirley Banquicio, Frank Pendon, Edgar Tojino and Team Canada sponsors officially presided over the usual "Ceremonial Jumpball". The
opening game, an exhibition play between NABA - Team Canada and Markham Gators OBA Rep Team was won by the former with the final score of 61 - 38.

Composing the NABA officials and league organizers are: Dr. Ron Damasco (Commissioner), Gani Gregorio (Founder & Executive Adviser), Frank Pendon (Deputy Commissioner - Canada & Chair of NABA- GTA), Bob A.
San Juan (Associate Deputy Commissioner - Canada), Arnold Carating (Youth Sports Development Officer), Edgar Tojino (Liaison Officer). The City Directors are: Mike Cruz- Ajax, Ed Pe Benito & Marilyn Ramdass-
Brampton, Dome Florido- Markham, Noel Buenaventura- Mississauga, Alex Dooc- Newmarket, Roger Tarca & Vilma Tahsin- North York, Hermie Guya & Nestor Leabres- Scarborough, Arnold Carating- Toronto andWilliam
Marasigan- Vaughan. The League's Official Referees are members of Peel Regional Board of Approved Basketball Officials (PRBABO).

The 10 Participating basketball clubs are: Ajax(Crossover), rampton(FAAB), Markham(Maharlika), Mississauga(MYAA), Newmarket(Bayan), North York (NYPAA), Scarborough(Lapsley), Toronto(CKaTT), Vaughan(Bayanihan) and Knights(Guest Team). -- T. San Juan.