After missing an entire year, the 2006 semi pro basketball season tips off tonight at the City Center. Commissioner of the league Troy Gabb today told us that after many things unraveled after the last season in 2004, they decided to rebuild with sense, learning from past mistakes.
Troy Gabb, BBA Commissioner
"One of the basic principles is parity. What would often happen is that fans used to become extremely frustrated coming to games that are one-sided and so anytime a fan believes, and I am a avid basketball fan, and whenever there is a game that is extremely competitive I want to watch that game and so I think that all fans are the same, they want to see a competitive game. At the same time too we want to thank our players because they have certainly shared in the sacrifice this year, they have participated in making the adjustment in terms of salaries and also to have owners come back because what we have learnt is that as the salaries and the costs of operations skyrocketed, the good sponsors moved away from the game and as a result we were unable to have a season last year and we see that as a lesson learnt and that is what we're trying to not happen again. We want to ask the fans, appeal to them, that all of this that we have done is for them."
And to keep a premium on entertainment, the season opens with a serious grudge match, the defending champion BTL Nets versus newcomer San Pedro Tigersharks. There's a grudge, because the Tiger Sharks have enlisted the talents of the net's former franchise player Keith Acosta. But this year, when draft time came
around, BTL's management overlooked the man who had led them to their only championship, and elected to select the young man who used to be Keith's understudy, Kirk Burgess. So tonight, Keith faces his old team, and it's a rivalry worthy of Shaq versus Kobe billing. Today we spoke to key personnel from both teams to ask how they feel about the match-up.
Charles Ellis, BTL Nets Manager
"We are poised and ready to defend our title."
Keith Swift,
I know you don't have Keith Acosta. Will that affect your time?
Charles Ellis,
"Well like I said yesterday in an interview, its bittersweet. Its bitter that we won't be having Keith's services this year but it'll be sweet tonight when we win this game."
Keith Acosta, San Pedro TigerSharks
"Come tonight, you're going to see the strength of the team and it is going to be a great loss and I am not sure if they have seen it yet but tonight will tell."
Charles Ellis,
"Well no doubt about it, Keith is one of the best premier players in the country and we will certainly defend and try to not let Keith Acosta embarrass us tonight. We'll try our best to win this game Jules."
Keith Acosta,
"Its not going to be a personal show but I just got to step my game up to let the Nets know that I am a contender and I will be one to reckon with."
Brads Neal, San Pedro TigerSharks Manager
"I will guarantee you Jules that you will see some high flying monster dunks tonight."
Lawrence Culver, San Pedro TigerSharks (Import)
"I am just here just to win, if they need me to score to win, okay so be it. If they need me to board and let them score, so be it, whatever. I am just here to play ball."
Keith Swift,
Tell us about your background.
Lawrence Culver,
"I was at the University of Akron, from there I played in Iceland, I played in Uruguay, I played in the ABA, I played in IBL, and now I am here."
Ronnell Lennon, BTL Nets
"We will see what will happen later on. We expect to see the fans come out because we need the support, it'll be a nice game."
Keith Acosta,
"Its exciting."
Keith Swift,
It's all about teamwork right?
Keith Acosta,
"Definitely. You're going to see a lot of teamwork tonight."
Tonight's game tips off at 9:00 pm. With player's salaries reigned in, and operational costs thus lowered, the league has attracted sponsorship for six teams. Games will be played in Belize City, San Pedro, Belmopan, Orange Walk and Corozal.
