After a thorough discussion, team managers, coaches and team representatives agreed to set the 2014 season of the Filipino Basketball League (FBL) to tentatively open on October 20 at the Palau National gym.

This will give participating teams ample time to be able to pay the league fee set at $420 and injury fee per player is at $12. The committee, which will be handled by The Filipino Community in Palau (TFCP), together with the team managers, coaches and team representatives also agreed upon the deadline for the payment of the fees and submission of final team rosters on October 13.

Seeing action for the new season of the FBL includes defending champion FR Spoilers, runner up Western Union, Surangel Stars, RP Rangers, Hanpa Cardinals, PRA Choppers, Jaguars, Ilocandia Bulls, Rams and LS Dragons. Newcomers to the league are PNQ Crushers and team Spartan.

The league will for this years will follow a different format as all teams will compete in a one round of elimination after which the first six teams will, based on their win-loss record, will comprise Division A while remaining six teams will then be grouped in Division B.

By which teams in both divisions will play another round of elimination until such time that they will both have division champions. The teams in Division A together with the champion and runner up in Division B will then move on to the Top 8 where they will again compete to determine the over all champion of the league.

The TFCP also said that teams that would want to play also in the Master’s Division must confirm by September 8. If no teams will be able to confirm until Sunday, there will be no Master’s Division for this year.

Interested teams may register with Manny Kimpo at 488-3559; Grace Baconga at 488-8844; Boyet Arevalo at 488-3443; and Lucio Bandibas at WCTC.  By Peter Erick L. Magbanua (Island Times News)