Meet in the Middle Update #2

Welcome back to the Coach’s Box for another Meet in the Middle Pre-Tournament Update…

We would like to announce our newest confirmations for the tournament:

Killa Bees (Delano)

Delano Allies

These are well-established teams in the Fil-Am and Asian tournament circuit, with Killa Bees coming off championship runs in the Playhouse Las Vegas Labor Day Tournament and the Dream League Gold Rush Tournament.  Special thanks to Eddie Bustos of Killa Bees for his commitment to Filipino Basketball in the Central Valley.  We look forward to seeing many of the Filipino-American communities represented at the Meet in the Middle Winter Classic, including Fresno, Delano, and Long Beach.  We’re waiting on confirmation from teams in Fairfield, the Bay Area, Visalia, Lemoore, and Southern California.  We’ll keep you updated as more teams confirm…don’t wait too long!

Points of emphasis:

-     Non-Filipino Rule:  The mission of X’s & O’s Basketball Foundation, Inc. is to bring and build up the Filipino-American community through basketball.  This also includes using basketball as outreach and a bridge to people of other cultural and national backgrounds.  That being said, X’s & O’s believes that there is always room for Non-Filipinos to share in our national pastime.  The Non-Filipino Rule for the Meet in the Middle Winter Classic is meant to preserve the integrity of fair participation for all groups.  Please be aware that the Tournament Rules explicitly states how the Non-Filipino Rule works and that the burden of proof of Filipino heritage is on the team in question. 

BOTTOM LINE…if your team is planning to participate in the Meet in the Middle Winter Classic and you think some members of your team may be questioned about their Filipino heritage, it would be wise to bring some form of proof or documentation (i.e. birth certificate, family picture) in order for that person to maintain eligibility to play.  Failure to provide said proof will result in automatic dismissal from the tournament. 

The Honor System means that all reasonable assumptions are made that your team is following the rules.  Wins become tainted and reputations tarnished when there is a suspicion that a team has to resort to bending the rules to win.  X’s & O’s intends to avoids any controversy and provide a fair and accountable field of play for all teams. 

Thank you for your cooperation…

-     Early Bird Registration is $275.00 if it arrives on or before January 7, 2011.  Check or Money Orders made payable to Russell Raypon.  Standard Registration is $300.00, due before your first scheduled game.  Early Bird Registration can be locked in by contacting X’s & O’s Basketball Staff.  Deposits can be made to lock in the Early Bird rate, with balances due before the first scheduled game.  Balances must be paid in full in order for your team to play.  Deposits are non-refundable.  Any questions about the policy or to make arrangements, send us a message. 

-    This is the official tournament flyer…feel free to copy and post this on your social media sites and email or share with friends…

January is approaching fast…enjoy a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  We’ll see you and your teams MLK, Jr. weekend!