JERSEY SHORE - The 2010 North American Basketball Association (NABA) Tournament is one of the biggest and most awaited basketball championship tournaments among Pinoy hoopsters in the United States.

“From our roots back home in the Philippines, you know, Pinoys are crazy about basketball so it carries out here. Basketball is still the number one Filipino sport in US and Canada,” said this year’s organizer, City Director of Jersey Shore Athletic Group, DV Del Valle.

The 2010 NABA Intercity Tournament was held from September 3 to September 5 in Jersey Shore. More than 1,500 players and spectators watched the championship game Sunday.

In a close match with Jersey Shore Athletics Group, team Pinoy Chicagoans bagged the 23rd NABA tournament Men’s Open Championship over Labor Day weekend. Chicago won by only 3 points, 77 – 80.

“We prepared for 2 months for the tournament. We practiced twice a week but you know what, it paid off!” said team Chicago’s Juliys Pascolado.

“We’re so proud and we’re excited!” added Marc Carbello, team director of this year’s NABA Men’s Open Champion.

Founded in 1986, NABA organized this annual basketball tournament for athletes of Filipino ancestry. Today, over 1,700 athletes from 24 cities in the United States, Canada and recently London, participated to play the Philippine’s national favorite past time.

ABS-CBN’s DZMM Teleradyo is this year’s major sponsor. ABS-CBN’s Manila Radio Division Head Peter Musngi said NABA’s successful inter-city basketball tournament is worth world-wide coverage in the near future.

“It should merit the attention of the whole world, because next year we plan to cover at least the final games in full to be broadcast on ABS-CBN Channel 2 in the Philippines and worldwide via ABS-CBN Global,” said Musngi.

Organizers said they are dedicating this year’s games to ex-PBA star Abet Guidaben for his fast recovery from a rare form of muscle and nervous disease called Myasthenia Gravis.

The New York/New Jersey teams recently raised funds to help pay for Guidaben’s medical expenses. Del Valle said, “It was a good move to help him. This brings us closer together as one.” Balitang America