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.<\/p>\n
Venus said he is requesting all interested teams to contact him as soon as possible so the league could start in earnest.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s National Basketball Team, coached by Rufino Aguon. <\/p>\n
Venus hopes that the national men\u2019s team\u2019s participation in the Bud Cup would help them prepare for its upcoming battle against regional basketball powerhouse Guam, Palau, and Marshall Islands. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He, however, said the 21-and-over rule would not apply to the men’s national team expected to compete in the league.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Expected to return to defend its title is Ol\u2019Aces I, which has won each Bud Cup since its inaugural season.<\/p>\n
For more information about the 4th Annual Budweiser Cup-BANMI Island-wide Basketball League, call Venus at 888-3228. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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