Bud Cup calls on interested teams

Commissioner Abner Venus is reminding interested teams for the 4th Annual Budweiser Cup-BANMI Island-wide Basketball League to sign up as soon as possible.

He said the highest level of basketball competition on island would kick off as soon as the busy-as-a-bee schedule of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium eases up.

With the conclusion of the Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th Annual UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League last Sunday, only the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League occupies the weekday and weekends slots at the Oleai Sports Complex indoor venue.

Venus earlier said with the rate the basketball league for civil is going, the Bud Cup would probably hit the Oleai hard court in late April. The government league plays Mondays to Thursdays.

While he is still awaiting entries, Venus said one team that has already given its commitment to join is the CNMI Men’s National Basketball Team under the mentorship of head coach Rufino Aguon, which will play as a guest team.

He hopes that the national men’s team’s participation in Bud Cup would help them prepare for the upcoming battle against regional basketball powerhouse Guam, Palau, and Marshall Islands.

Although, he envisions a 10-team field for the competition, he said the more realistic number of participants is six teams because of problems coming up with the entrance fee of $800, plus $100 required for membership in BANMI.

Venus said once the government league concludes, he will ask officials at the Division of Sports and Recreation to reserve Friday and Saturday for the Budweiser Cup.

For the first time in its four-year run, the league will also feature an age limit, as only players 21 years old and above will be allowed to suit up.

Venus said this would allow youth players to focus their energies in the BANMI Men’s 25-and-under Basketball League, which is expected to kick off soon after the start of the Bud Cup.

He, however, said the 21-and-over rule would not apply to the men’s national team expected to compete in the league.

Unlike the new age limit, once thing that has never changed is the prize money involved in the competition, as the winning team will go home with $1,000, while second place receives $300. Third place receives $200.

Expected to return to defend its title is Ol’Aces I, which has won each Bud Cup since its inaugural season.

For more information about the 4th Annual Budweiser Cup-BANMI Island-wide Basketball League, call Venus at 888-3228.