2014 FMA Basketball Invitational

By: Darwin Yasis

The 9th Annual Fil-Minnesotan Basketball Invitational was held on June 28 & 29, 2014 at the Minneapolis Sports Center. Eighteen teams competed during the two-day tournament and hundreds of people attended to cheer for their favorite teams. There were plenty of exciting games and close matches which ended up in overtime and single digit wins. This was evident during the round robin on Day 1 up to the Elimination/Championship Round on Day 2.

Congratulations to the 2014 winners!!!

1st Place Division A - Team Double J (Blue team) - former champions

2nd Place Division A - Team Avengers (Gold team) - defending champions

1st Place Division B - Team Halo Halo Picks (Light Blue team)

2nd Place Division B - Team Borongbong (Aqua Blue team)

3-Pt Shootout Champion - Matt Campued – Team CSFA

Best Muse  - Kylie Lauren Domingo Tagros – Team Alagad

Logo Design Contest Winner - Aric Asuncion

“…Thanks to FMA for giving us the opportunity to participate in the tournament. It was not only fun-filled event but more importantly it gave us the chance to meet and make friends with our Filipino kababayans here in MN.”  - Ted (Negrenses Team Captain)

Special thanks to our event sponsors Buerkle Honda, Silver Lake Smiles, and to the many volunteers who made this event possible. We also would like to thank our special guest Hailey Steele, Little Miss Minnesota Princess 2014, and to James Calacsan for singing the national anthem and performing at the championship half time show.

To many, as basketball-loving Filipinos, it wasn’t only about playing the game. It was also an avenue to meet and reconnect with our fellow kababayans, enjoy sumptuous selection of Filipino food from Tita Li’s Kitchen, Maricel’s Catering, and Rose’s Catering, and spend time with friends and families. Next year marks the 10th Year Anniversary and we hope to bring in more fun and excitement to this event.