Shanghai, 18 July – Bouncing back from a two-year hiatus, the Philippine Basketball Association in Shanghai (FILBAS) opened today its 2021 Summer League at the Hansen Sports Complex in Baoshan District.

Five teams – the Balleros, Shanghai Brothers, Shanghai Ballers, F&B Shooters, and T-Fish -- are participating in the revived tourney. The matches will take place Sundays until 17 October, when the top two teams in the double round-robin tournament will face off for the championship.

Guesting at the inaugural ceremonies, Consul General Josel F. Ignacio congratulated FILBAS on the League’s strong return. Alluding to Filipinos’ over-a-century-old love affair with basketball and the ubiquity of hoops, including improvised ones, in the Philippines, the Consul General characterized the sport as an outlet for Filipinos’ passion for community and interaction, as well as an expression of their resourcefulness and determination.

As he conveyed best wishes to the tournament and teams, the Consul General urged the players to “represent” in Shanghai, through their skills, sportsmanship, and above all, the camaraderie and unity that bind the Filipino Community.  END