CNMI: Budweiser Cup kicks off tonight

The Basketball Association of the Northern Marianas Islands will formally kick off the 2004 Men's Island-wide Basketball League or Budweiser Cup tonight at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
BANMI public information officer Abner Venus said the MARPAC-sponsored tournament would begin with a parade of teams at 7pm. He, however, is reminding all participating teams to come early for last-minute instructions. Venus said teams must assemble at the venue as early as 6:30am.
According to the BANMI PIO, a total of eight teams have signed up to play for the second season of the Budweiser Cup. The participating teams are led by 2002 champion Ol'Aces I, Ol'Aces II, Diablos, Sunrisers, Cougars, a team backed by APC Ltd., and squads organized by Donald Blundin and Taula Peter.
The Budweiser Cup used to be called the BANMI Men's Island-wide Basketball League until MARPAC agreed to sponsor the league some two years ago.
The Budweiser Cup/Men's Island-wide was originally set to take place last year but was pushed back to give teams a chance to come up with the required entrance fee. It was once again reset last December to give way for the holiday season.
The team that emerges as championship of the Budweiser Cup gets $1,000 in cash, while second and third place will take home $300 and $200, respectively. The Budweiser Cup will also hold side events like a half court shootout and a three-point contest