The fourth staging of the Monico Inter-Barangay Summer Basketball Tournament will be held in April, a press release from organizers said.

The competition is open to all residents of barangays in Bacolod City, tournament chairman Monico "Nicky" Puentevella said. Reigning 26-Under division champion Barangay Singcang-Airport is expected to defend its title against a bunch of challengers, including Barangays Estefania, Mansilingan and Banago, which placed third, second and first runners-up respectively last year.

Barangay Tangub, the 2005 Under-19 champion, remains the team to beat in their category with Barangays Granada, Estefania and Villamonte, first, second and third runners up respectively expected to figure prominently in the battle for top honors.

Last year's tournament drew 24 teams vying for the overall basketball crown in the Under - 26 bracket, while 22 teams saw action in the Under - 19 category.

This year, the organizers expect to draw and even bigger field of basketball enthusiasts and standouts from the grassroots, Puentevella said.

"Once again, this tournament will be a good opportunity for our youth who are 26 years old and below to participate and be discovered in basketball. I always believe that our barangays are a rich resource of basketball talents waiting to be tapped and developed," he added.

Puentevella also said he is inviting interested teams to contact their respective barangay captains and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.

A general orientation will be held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the residence of Rep. Monico Puentevella.

Puentevella, in the same press release, said he is encouraging the youth to indulge in sports as a means, not only to combat the evils of drug abuse but also for personal development.

"We have seen how our Filipino athletes triumphed during the last Southeast Asian Games. During the Games, we have seen how sports became a rallying factor that united our people from all walks of life. Given the right opportunity and exposure, I am sure that we have many future sports heroes in our barangays," the solon said. Cash prizes and trophies await this year's top teams, the press release also said. *

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