Venus eyes April start for Bud Cup

The 4th Annual Budweiser Cup-BANMI Island-wide Basketball League is looking to start its 2006 season sometime in April, according to commissioner Abner Venus.

Venus said he is requesting all interested teams to contact him as soon as possible so the league could start in earnest.

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. Currently, the Oleai Sports Complex facility is being used by the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League, which occupies the weekday schedule of the indoor venue.

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.

While he is still awaiting the league for civil servants to end and entries to trickle in, Venus said one team that has already given its go-ahead to join Bud Cup is the CNMI Men’s National Basketball Team, coached by Rufino Aguon.

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

He earlier commented that although he wants a 10-team field for the competition, the more realistic number of participants is six teams because of problems raising the entrance fee of $800, plus $100 required for membership in BANMI.

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 remained constant is the prize money involved in the competition, as the winning team will still 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.