DOHA: The premier Filipino basketball league, Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ), will open its 12th season dubbed as Subaru Cup 2012 today at the Gharafa Training Gym.
This year’s PIBAQ is set for a more competitive and participation by more teams.
PIBAQ officials said this year’s tournament is yet another milestone in their continuing all-out effort to establish a truly professional league in Qatar. The League which has already gained much respect in the large Filipino community that it had drawn more interest to new teams in the two divisions.
The popularity of PIBAQ has encouraged Mannai Trading Company WLL to parade its well-patronised Japanese brand Subaru cars as the main sponsor of the 12th season.
The McDonald’s Qatar, the loyal partner of PIBAQ, will offer equal support from the championship. Some five teams will slug it out in the Professional Division A. Another 23 teams, mostly newcomers, will try to prove their mettle in Division B.
Pat Carido, president of PIBAQ, has assured sponsors and teams that they will expect a more professional officiating in the games throughout the season.
The league recently hosted a two-day referees and coaches seminar-workshop by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. (SBP), the governing basketball body in the Philippines.
Ziad Shuaib, General Sales Manager at Mannai’s Subaru showroom, said their company has decided to become the main sponsor for the season as a way of returning the favour for the Filipinos in Qatar who are now their leading loyal customers.
“Fifty percent of our customers are Filipinos,” Shuaib said.
The Peninsula
