LGR Hoops Showcase opens with 30 squads

Thirty teams are seeing action as the newest recreational basketball tournament in Metro Manila, the LGR Hoops Showcase, tips off Sunday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The novice division will feature 20 teams while 10 squads comprise the expert class of the weekends-only tournament which will have the Cloverleaf Gym in Makati and Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila as alternate venues.

Aimed at giving weekend warriors and competitive players an avenue to strut their wares, the tournament organized by one of the country’s foremost sportswear firms will run until May. Hosting the opening ceremony is PBA courtside reporter Apple David while members of the NLEX Road Warriors are also attending the program along with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas official Bernie Atienza.

Macway Travel Club, a prominent figure in commercial leagues in Metro Manila, leads the cast in the expert division which is limited to players with no pro experience and whose last playing year in major collegiate leagues are only until 2009.

Also vying for the expert crown are powerhouse teams Nougat, Zarks Burger, SSI, Petiks Express, Royal MNL, Slicktight Pomade, Wednesday Adgrande Basketball, De Ocampo Memorial College and DBT United which will be bannered by former La Salle standout PJ Barua.

The novice division has been divided to two brackets with Group A made up of Ybalai Builders, Nike Park, Wolverine

Vanguards, Friday Night Basketball, Sunday Basketball Club, XJJ, 19th Ballers, Team Kuys and Highlink.

Nougat is also fielding a team in the novice division where it will join Group B which also includes Agensync, Rise, Datwyler, United, Cafe Ben A Bien, Petics, CET Alumknights, Wednesday Group and Team Prima.