Winnipeg teams left scratching   their heads in Mississauga

	The combined team from FBA and NABA represented Winnipeg in the Midget Finals in which the Toronto team won
	Leading after the first half, our Ladies Open gave themselves a chance but a strong Chicago team came back to win yet another championship
	After defeating the defending champs from Mississauga in the semi-finals, the Midget girls could not stop Vaughan in the finals, giving them second place
	Players and coaches still in high spirits before the bus ride home

The dejected Winnipeg Men’s Open Team fell short in their quest for a rare “three-peat.” After the game, veteran and now role player of Toronto, Dean Labayen said, “the odds were against Winnipeg to beat a team three times” while coach Al commented on how, “throughout the game we never felt secure of the lead... we had to play a helter -skelter, run and gun type of game because of how well coached and precise team Winnipeg was.”
Mayor McCallion (2nd right), FBANA Commissioner Eddie Semira (left) and other delegates watch while trophies for potential “three-peats” are ready to be won
Winnipeg’s sea of blue and gold
Miss FBANA winner, Toronto’s Caitlin Pantaleon (centre) with Windsor’s Audrey Inting, third place (left) and Durham’s Roxanne Rellin, second place (right)

As Winnipeg teams and their respective divisions nestled into the Quality Inn in Mississauga, the committee, friends, family and players looked poised and determined to bring home more championships in the sixth annual Filipino Basketball Association of North America (FBANA) Inter-city Tournament.

Entering the opening ceremonies at the Hershey Centre, a sea of Winnipeg blue and gold dominated the crowd of thousands. Electricity was in the air as teams and coaches from all over North America sized us up. Newly appointed FBANA Commissioner, Eddie Semira also took notice as he praised and thanked Winnipeg teams for their continued commitment to the association.

Ceremonies continued as greetings from Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, local dancers, singers and the Miss FBANA presentation entertained the audience.
After the closing remarks and oath of sportsmanship, it was game time! Teams were dismissed to the eight different venues throughout Mississauga.

Speaking to some of the players from various teams, they had mixed feelings about how much support they were able to give their respective cities because each division was so separated. However, the show had to go on – and for many teams, Winnipeg was the team to beat.

Posted on many team’s bulletins, twitter pages and locker rooms were the words, “Beat Winnipeg!” From Midget to the Masters division, the Winnipeg teams gave it their all but, only managed to place as high as second place in four divisions. Our teams deserve congratulations for their valiant effort even though the tournament surely left a bitter taste in our mouths.

But, like all great teams, Winnipeg has shown the ability and character to bounce back beore. You can be sure to find them hungry and more determined than ever next year in Houston where games will be played in a larger dome setting.

Many thanks goes to Winnipeg’s city directors Manny Aran?ez, Angel Martinez, Muriel Masangkay, Eugene Garcia, Ron Balingit and all the players and volunteers for their time and dedication.

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