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Toyota begins defense of Bud Cup title tonight
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Posted on Aug 28 2005
After months of planning, officials of the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands are ready to get action rolling and will open the much-awaited 2005 Budweiser Cup tonight at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Already assured a slot in the season opener is two-time defending champion Toyota, which will have to wait until the opening ceremony to know who will be the first to stand in their way of their run for three straight crowns.
BANMI official Elias Rangamar earlier explained that all teams must present at tonight’s ceremony, which begins at 6:30pm, as a drawing will be conducted. The drawing will determine who plays Toyota, as well as which two teams will play in the second game.
With eight teams vying for the coveted championship title and four teams playing each night, whoever does not see action tonight will be assured a game on Wednesday.
With the regular season schedule not to be known until after tonight’s drawing, all teams are encouraged to take part in the ceremony.
All games will be played on Mondays and Wednesdays, with the first game at 7pm and the second game following at 8:30pm.
Teams will battle through two rounds, meaning each team will battle another twice before the conclusion of the regular season.
The playoffs will feature a single elimination format, ending with a best-of-three championship series.
Toyota managed to take home the past two crowns behind the chemistry and guns of brothers Peter and Abong Camacho, John Santos, Junior Renguul, Rangamar, Elias Saralu, Jake Celes, Romeo Iginoef, and Mel Tagabuel, among others in their line up. This season, the team is without Peter Camacho and Santos, who are currently in Iraq.
For more information, contact Rangamar at 664-2500 or Abner Venus at 234-5911.
