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Recap of the 1st Annual OCAYP Basketball Tournament
by Jack Hom

June 12, 2000 (OCAYP) - Who needs to watch the L.A. Lakers and Indiana Pacers play for the NBA title when there are supreme basketball skills in the local area? OCAYP sponsored the 1st Annual OCAYP Basketball Tournament held on Saturday, June 3rd at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, MD.

Representatives from various Asian Pacific organizations sent their prized basketball talent for bragging rights in the D.C. area. Ready to do battle were teams from National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Hong Kong Professionals (HKP), Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL), Lenny Jiang's Team (LOCF), Asian Pacific American Bar Association (APABA), as well as teams led by Tung Dao, Greg Han, Jimmy Woo, and Mark Lee.

The day started ominously when the gymnasium was not prepared for the festivities, and the organizers had to suddenly adjust the schedule of games. As a result, several contests were held on outdoor courts.

Given the unexpected playing conditions, all teams were still able to leave their imprint on the tournament. In the first round, Tung Dao's team held on to victory against scrappy HKP on Court 1. NaFFAA's skilled inside-out game eliminated Jimmy Woo's competitive team on Court 2.

The second round saw the young legs of LOCF hold onto victory against a talented team led by Mark Lee. The inside muscle of APABA started off fast against a game CAPAL team and held them at bay to advance.

In the third round, NaFFAA scratched to a five point victory agaist LOCF on Court 2. Greg Han's team matched APABA point to point in the early going on Court 1, but APABA pulled to a solid victory to advance to the semifinals.

The semifinal round had NaFFAA and APABA in their best Miami Heat-New York Knicks impression - a tough, gritty match between two teams willing to do whatever necessary to make the final, with NaFFAA eventually advancing. In the other semifinal, the battle was just as fierce, with Tung Dao's team scrapping and hustling to victory against LOCF.

The final matched wits against the two teams left standing...NaFFAA against Tung Dao's team. In the first half, the height of NaFFAA's inside players and outside shooting proved superior to the defensive swarming of Tung Dao's smaller, quicker players, ending the half with NaFFAA leading, 35-27.

In the second half, Tung Dao's quickness started to pay off, eventually taking the lead, 45-43 with 12 minutes left. The game remained close until the last few minutes, with free throws deciding the match, and Tung Dao's team holding on for victory, 64-53.

Congratulations and many thanks to all teams who participated in this event, and for understanding the adverse conditions of the facility. I would also like to applaud the tireless effort of the volunteers, especially Mark Chang, Gee Lee, Rob Yao, Sandy Chang, Judy Tseng, Andrew Chin, Angela Yu, Jen Cho, Tony Yeo, Ed Lin, and Grace H. Han.