The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) hosted the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Government Corporations Athletic Association (GCAA) Basketball Tournament held recently at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Gymnasium in Pasay City.

The opening ceremony kicked off with a parade of the participating teams together with their muses from different government agencies namely: GSIS, Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), National Power Corporation (NPC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and Social Security System (SSS).

The GCAA Basketball Tournament aims to promote sportsmanship and camaraderie among participating government agencies. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Head Executive Assistant of the Office of the President and OIC-Vice President for Corporate Affairs Group said that the activity “is a manifestation of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) mandate, of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) mandate and of course our mandate as government employees to have a well-balance life program.”

He emphasized the importance of a well-balanced life activity that will promote camaraderie, friendship, sportsmanship, integrity and respect towards each other, not only among the players but also in the institutions where they came from. Moreover, he also took the opportunity to thank the committee members for the support which contributed to the success of the tournament.

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PhilHealth’s Mark Eduard Pedroso, 2016 Most Valuable Player led the sportsmanship pledge together with other participating teams. Dr. Rainier Curimao, Athletic Director officially opened the tournament, followed by a ceremonial toss and release of the ball was led by Pargas, PAGCOR’s George Bolo, GCAA Vice-President for Operations, Membership and Extension of GCAA and Dr. Glenn Vladimir Valmores of the GSIS.

The competition is grouped into two divisions: the Seniors Division for players 40 years old and above, and the Open Division which prescribes no age limit for players. The mode of elimination is a single round robin series where nine (9) teams are playing in the tournament for Senior Men’s Division and seven (7) teams are playing in the Open Division.

The opening match between PhilHealth’s Senior Division versus Napocor, and PhilHealth’s Open Division versus BCDA, resulted to a victory of both PhilHealth Basketball teams with a margin of 45-46 and 35-100, respectively. The tournament runs through October 6, 2017 and will finish with a championship game. An awards ceremony will follow, officially ending the 15th day of the tournament. (END) (by Arlene B. Enriquez; Photos by Pedro D. Abella)

(Reference: Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas, Head Executive Assistant and Concurrent OIC-Vice President for Corporate Affairs Group, Cel No. 0917-8089399)