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RP embassy in Brussels launches basketball tilt

by RACQUEL BERNAL-CRISOSTOMO, ABS-CBN News Europe | 09/12/2008 7:19 PM

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The first-ever basketball tournament launched by the Philippine Embassy in Brussels made its debut last week. The Ambassador’s Cup, which was led by Alamid Team, is only one of the dream projects of Ambassador Cristina Ortega.

“The idea of the Ambassador’s Cup was the idea of Ambassador Ortega kasi gusto nya sana na makipag-isa kami sa inyo sa inyong interes sa basketball”, Consul General Angelina Sta. Catalina said in her opening remarks.

Sta. Catalina remained optimistic that they may be able to expand the said tournament in different categories in the next few years.

“Ang idea namin ay umpisahan namin ang Ambassor’s Cup for the category of basketball this year. Baka sakali, in the year’s to come ma-expand natin ito for bowling, for tennis or any other sports na interesado kayo”, she said.

Apart from instilling discipline, the Ambassador’s Cup aims to get the youth together to do something they like to do best--play basketball.

There were more than 120 Filipino youth who joined the tournament. There were teams who came all the way from Germany and Luxembourg.

With the success of this year’s tournament, Marlon Bacosa, head of the committee has nothing but high hopes in summer of 2009.

“Ang main purpose namin dito ay para  i-encourage ang young Filipino sa sport every summer at ilayo sila sa masamang bisyo. Once a year, magkakaroon ng ganitong klaseng tournament dito sa Brussels. And I am sure na madadagdagan pa yung 12 teams natin na mayroon tayo ngayon”, he said.