By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

The 1st Congressman Greg Gasataya Basketball League opened this weekend, with Sum-ag scoring a big 101-56 win over Barangay 33 in the open category; while Granada beat Barangay 3, 80-57, and Barangay 23 defeated Barangay 5, 89-63, at the STI-West Negros University (STI-WNU) gymnasium.
The tournament’s namesake, Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, was on hand for the ceremonial jump ball, alongside Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, and City Councilors Dindo Ramos, Bart Orola, and Em Ang.
“We want to provide our players the venue to excel,” the congressman said in his address. “This tournament, which runs until the end of May, will serve as an avenue for young cagers to be scouted and discovered.”
In the other results, Pahanocoy defeated Barangay Singcang-Airport, 80-76; Barangay 23 defeated Barangay 5, 89-63; Barangay 7 defeated Alangilan, 83-81; and Banago defeated Barangay 20, 88-57, in the open division.
In the 12 and Under category, the University of St. La Salle (USLS) defeated the Education and Training Center School (ETCS), 61-38.
As previously reported, P20,000 will be awarded to the winners of the open tournament, with P15,000 and P10,000 going to second and third place, respectively.
STI-WNU will also award a sports scholarship to the Most Valuable Player of each category./WDJ