A total of nine teams will see action the regular season of the Filipino Basketball League while four teams will vie for top spot in the Master’s League which will have its opening rites on Sunday at the Palau National gym.

Team that will see action in the 2012 season of the Filipino Basketball League are defending champion team Spoilers, runner-up Western Union, Ilocandia Bulls, RP Rangers, Surangel and Sons, Choppers, Hanpa Cardinals, Jaguars and Rams.

On the other hand, teams that will comprise the 2012 season of the Master’s League are defending champion Ocean View, D’ Originals, FR Spoilers and 9-Ball.

The opening rites will start at 10 a.m. with the lighting of the torch by last season MVP Aries Echanova of team Spoilers followed by the opening address and turnover of committee by Ronnie Giman to incoming chairman Joseph Torres. It will be followed by the induction of officers of the FBA namely Joseph Torres (chairman), Grace Baconga (vice chairman for Regular Season), Lucio Bandibas (vice chairman for Master’s League), Jenny Yumang and Marchelle Dancel (secretaries), and Robby Lim (treasurer), Bobby Pineda, Jun dela Cruz and Ben Asuncion (advisers) with Rey Carbonel, Rey Fortus, Judian Gahaton, Cesar “Ninoy” Agsalud, Boie Castaneda, Joseph Verano and Arsie Sumampong as members.

Philippine Ambassador Ramoncito Marino will then deliver his message and will be followed by PNOC outreach program coordinator Topps Sungino for an inspirational message. Intermission numbers will be rendered by ATT Girls, Imperial Girls and Happy Hour Girls.

It will be then followed by the parade of teams with their muses and presentation of judges. Winners for the best in team uniform and best in muse will then be announced followed by the oath of sportsmanship and closing remarks by TFCP president Leo Lacambra.

There will two games set for the opening and will be announced. The FBL is under the supervision of the Palau Basketball Federation.

This year’s FBL sponsors are ATT Karaoke Disco Bar, Aqua Pure Water, Blue Bay Petroleum, Budget Mart 1 and 2, CTSI Logistics, FR Construction, GF Automotive, Hanpa Industries, HBO Company, Kabayan Restaurant, Kramers, MJ Trading, Ngeremlengui Quarry, Ocean View/ABA, Palau Curtain, PDC, Pinoy Express Remittance, Pinoy Restaurant, PNQ, Roll’EM Productions/OTV, Sams Tours, Sea View KTV, Shimbros Inc., Socio-Micronesia, Surangel and Sons, The Taj, VMJ Construction, WCTC, Engr. Bobby Pineda, Jun dela Cruz, Koki Beech, Terry Li Hong, Engr. Ogi Pineda, Engr. Ben Asuncion and TFCP executive and board officers.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)