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 Womens Elite Open Divsion
2006 Champ Toronto CCYAA returns all 9 players. Led by Christine Vuong, Kim Lee, and MVP Cecilia Chan, they’re poised to make repeating a real option. After countless Final 4 finishes, CCYAA has matured into a top team. The team they defeated in the Finals, SF Red Coach (2005 Champ), is back and fully loaded. This very unassuming bunch played superb ball throughout the 2006 tourney but had a meltdown in the Chip as they couldn’t score. But this is a new year. Top players for Red Coach include 2k6 All-NACBA PF Kim Hong, and 2005 MVP Cassie Chi. LA Aiya (2001, 2003, 2004 Champ) looks to recover from a title dry spell. Bree Yap will have her team running the same tried and true style of ball movement and heavy screening. PG’s Sidney Giang and Alice Wang complement the Welsh sisters for LA. For the SF ArcAngels (2002 Champ), Kathleen Ty makes a comeback after a bum ankle held her out   in 2006. Toss in 5-9 G/F/C Kelly Tiao and the return of PG Cel Chow, and the Arc Angels could surprise. The Toronto Dragons were a 2k6 disappointment. But they have the best backcourt trio in the NACBA- with Jojo Agudo, Ann Ching, and Angie Leung- so they’ll be good. If Emily Wang and Lee Anne Chong play to their best, this is a Finals team. The Washington CYC ChinaDolls (1999 Champ) will be without pregnant PG Alicia Chin. But forward Kalyn Lee is back, and so is the next generation of ChinaDolls- led by Sunny Chang and Becky Lee. Moving up from Liberty is the 2006 Champion NY Sabres Blue. With MVP Tiffany Lee and rugged F Maisie Wong, the Sabres can hang. The final team is the SF Dragons (2000 Champ). On paper, this may be the most talented squad, as superb players like Marissa Evans-Ling, Jazmin Holmes, and Stacy Lee dot the roster. This year’s Women’s Open Elite division will be the toughest year ever.
Womens Liberty Divsion
The NY Sabres Red return with their physical defensive style. 14 yr old Carmen Ng and forward Jessie Lee are tops. Tourney favorite Montreal MMAC is back after finishing second in Boston. Look for them to come out blazing, as Tweety Ho is the one to highlight. Toronto CCYAA B, led by aggressive G’s Jocelin On and Lydia Kwan, seeks to improve on last year’s Semi finish. Factor in Miriam Tsao’s shooting and rookie F Karen Li, and they should be very competitive. The Philly Lady Suns couldn’t win the big games last year. With an eye on the prize in 2007, watch for Taylor Lee and Sandy Yu to shine. They’ve also made two big free agent signings in All-NACBA pf Diane Wong and 5-9 center Tracy Ng of the absent NY Cruisers. This team could surprise the Liberty.
Mens Senior 35 & Over Division
We begin with the NJ Pirates (1999, 2000, 2001, 2006 Champ). Original players Steve Lee and Rich Lo have been fixtures since the 1981 NACBAIT. Ted Hom and NACBA 25’er Beaver Ho man the backcourt. Add 6-4 Brad Liu (former Chinese Army player), and NJ is favored. The Boston Knights Sr made the 2006 Chip. With Big Ed and Rich Wong, Boston makes it tough on opponents. The Toronto CCYAA Masters (2004, 2005 Champ) will be a force to be reckoned with. Vet Jeff Fong and former pro Richard Zhu are solid as a rock up front, while Stanley Ong and David Kuo stabilize the backcourt. The Chicago Dragons Sr return, as Robert Choy continues to earn his Top 25 award. With help from Henry Yue and the coaching of Glen Kawazoye, Chicago’s in the hunt. The San Jose CCIC’ers will get their first taste of the NACBAIT. They feature 59 yr old Sam Wang. Props to Mr. Wang. Ariz Desert Jade, led by Ed Yee and the Ong family, get their feet wet in the Senior division. Tourney host Larry Dong also brings in a ‘Zona team, as Ariz Team Phoenix provides a local flavor to the comp. Rounding us out will be Cali Run N Gun. Guys to watch here are Wilson Labasan (47 yrs old and still rimhanging) and a quartet of NACBA top 25’ers- Jerry Lew, Conant Chi, Denny Lee and Sammy Moy. Cali will turn heads.
Mens Friendship Division
The NY Rockits Alumni won in 2006. MVP Kevin Chung is the man with the golden plan, as his plan is to feed 2k5 MVP Kenny Lee and 6-4 Wing Lau. They know how to win. The SF Wildcats got to the Finals last year with a team of swingmen before losing to the Rockits. By adding post player Huy Nguyen, Frisco could overtake NY. Washington CYC B made the 2006 Semis, and the 2k5 Finals, so watch them. All-NACBAIT pg Kevin Lee is their star. NY United East has taken part in every Friendship since its inception in 2003. With the return of Leighton Kuet, they can do better than last year’s Quarterfinals. Montreal MMAC Mars also reached the QF’s last year after strong pool play so keep an eye on them. The NY Rockits U disappointed in 2006 as they failed to make the playoffs lost in the Consolation Finals, but they should be back and hungry as ever. Josh Pena is the man, and 2005 All-NACBA choice Michael Louie holds down the paint. The Philly Suns B will be a tough out, with their 4 corners strategy. They are led by karaokestar Phillip Wan, chef John Bahn, and webguy Lee Ho. The Montreal Kaitas 94 hope this reunion ends in a title. Cylis Lam & Mike Yung return from Asia, so it may happen.
Mens Open Divsion
This is the one that started it all. The cream of the crop comes here to play so if you want to compete with the best, bring your “A Game.” The Seattle Bladerunners are out this year, so the door is wide open for someone else to snatch the title belt, beginning with the SF Duke. Sam Lee has assembled a monstrously talented squad that plays both ends of the floor. On defense, Dennis Yuen is the NACBA’s best defensive player and C Brian Liang eats rebounds like there is nothing else for dinner. Offensively, 6-0 C Henry Hong lights it up inside or out, G/F Conlan Kwong has star potential, SF Ryan Dunn is cash money, Jeremy Lee’s a fab addition, and Nathan Wong fills the gaps. This should finally be their year. After reaching the 2006 Final Four, the Boston Hurricanes (2004 Champs) look to do at least as well in Mesa. Mike Yih’s got game, underrated 6-4 center Ricky Chan uses impeccable timing and outstanding leaping ability to patrol the paint for rebs and blocks, and Kevin Woo sinks treys as needed. The Canes have incredible basketball IQ. The Toronto Dragons are the best team in Canada and have reached the Semis 2 of the past 4 years. NACBA Top 25 center Denny Lee is a real post presence, and 6-7 Jon Tam should give TO an outstanding interior duet. Swingman Kenny Ao will add to last year’s All-NACBAIT highlight show.
Washington CYC A has reached the Finals twice, but never taken that final step. They looked great at the Pre-NACBAIT Classic, as MVP guard Jeff Lee led them to the title. There isn’t a team who can match DC’s aerial assault, with Jeff Lee, NACBA Top 25’er Chris Lee, Keith Wang, Bobby Hsieh, and Kwan Huynh all capable of sticking numerous 3’s. They should make the Final Four. The NY RL Cruisers are playing with extra motivation this year. Personable coach Robert Lee passed away tragically in December, so the team has dedicated their efforts to him. With Herculean big men Tony Hu and George Chan, and with CB Liu’s outside shooting, this team has the weapons to make serious noise. NY Maximum Output returns with a potent frontcourt of Alex Stewart, Brandon Chock, and Nike Battlegrounds legend Darren Jiang. MO has also acquired former Hank Huang to bolster this star studded frontline. MO has the size to dominate. The Boston Knights are also looking to improve on last year’s QF finish. All-NACBAIT choice Joe Brush and 6-10 behemoth Michael Dong lead this squad.
The Texas Ballistics fell in Round 1 last year, but 2006 was an injurious time in Texas. Now, 6-4 Norman Wang is back and they look like a Final Four team. Ronald Lim’s got an athletic game and Texas will be dandy. The NY Rockits AIA return with NACBA Top 25’er Kevin Low in the pivot. The backcourt’s packed, as Ming Wang, Chris Chin, Jarvis Miu, and Kenny Yu do their thing. They create matchup problems by spreading the court on offense and by pressuring the ball on defense. If they get a good draw, the Rockits could make a run. The Chicago Dragons are excited to have superhero Joe Carlini back. He adds the athletic play and talent that Chicago will need as they face the top teams. Chi-town also features Tony Ling and All-NACBAIT guard Brian Hale at the 1 & 2. The Toronto Kagers may pull some upsets. All-NACBA PF Hoi Yeung is a great rebounder and isn’t afraid to mix it up. Also watch 6-4 baller Adrian Wu. The Philly Suns A have the talent to make the playoffs. Richmond Huynh, San Mac, and Emil Buccilli can match up with any backcourt. If 6-4 C Jake Fu powers it up inside, the Suns could take the next step. Looking to make a splash is the Toronto Titans. They employ a twin tower lineup of 6-9 James Chen and 6-7 Carlos Andrade that gives opponents nightmares on both ends of the court. With a deep bench, look for an improved Titans. The Toronto Blazers will be making their 4th outing to the NACBAIT this year. With a consistent core roster, the Blazers’ aim is to crack the Top 10. The athletic Montreal Kaitas also return this year, and look to improve on last year’s Consolation division finish.
Several teams are competing this year that did not play last year. The best of the bunch is Arizona Desert Jade. They reached the 2005 Semis, so they have real potential. With David Clarke on the wing, and the Hwang brothers inside, this team has what it takes to win it. The Cali Davis Dynasty will look to 6-3 C Scott Jaw and 6-1 slasher Prunell Davis to carry them. PF Joe Tang and SG Yitao Sun will provide ppg as they both made this year’s Pre-NACBAIT Classic All-Tourney team. The NY Rockits M&M are coached by up and coming genius Nelson Yu. The core of this team is the 2006 Rockits 18’s team. They added F James Li and G David Zheng to their roster to help them transition to the Open. C Howie Chu and PG Tommy Zheng are youngsters to keep an eye on. The Tourney field is completed by two final teams, NY USAB Blue and NY USAB Gold. USAB Gold is basically the team who won the 2006 18 & Under title, so these boys will run you if you’re not ready to play. USAB Blue features the vets. Gold’s best players are Daniel Wong and Justin Kao, while 6-4 post player Joe Vines and PG Jason Chin are the Blue’s best guys.
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