CA/PSA Basketball Tournament
By Lisa Matsuo
March 21, 2000  

The Colorado Asian/Pacific Student Alliance's first basketball tournament fundraiser on March 18 ended up a success, but not without complications. The tournament location was moved twice just before the tournament due to inadequate facilities and poor weather and ended up at Belleview Elementary School in Westminster. The tournament was then moved to Bishop Park next to the elementary school for the final championship game.

The tournament was also postponed from 9 a.m. to noon, but this didn't phase the 10 teams from vying it out on the court for cash prizes and the championship title. The "Denver Boys" came out on top, after losing their first game to "DU" and forging their way through five consecutive games, beating the "A-Town Boys", 34-24. The team of "Yellow Chocolate" came in third.

In the dark of the night, the "Denver Boys" and "A-Town Boys" from Aurora battled it out in the chilly aftermath of the recent snowstorm with their teammates and a small crowd of supporters to push them along. The cold air and fatigue from playing throughout the day didn't stop the "Denver Boys" from claiming their victory, but the "A-Town Boys" said they would be back next year to challenge them. This is the fourth year in a row that the "Denver Boys" have won a college student group-sponsored basketball tournament. "We're trying to beat Jordan's record," said team member Son Ly.

Other "Denver Boys" that helped take the championship include Ly's brothers, Phong "Big Daddy" Ly and Cuong Ly, "Fatdog" Nguyen, Kai Bui, John Phi, Tony Nguyen, "Rookie" Ngo, "Bang" Bui and Tu Ho.

AsiaXpress also had a team who made a big comeback in their second game with a win, but they weren't able to make it into the semifinals. AsiaXpress was a sponsor of the tournament and the conference that CA/PSA is organizing for Asian-American high school students in the Denver metro area. The conference, taking place April 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m on the University of Denver campus, will address issues affecting Asian-American youth including peer influence, domestic and substance abuse, gang and racial violence, the generation gap, stereotypes and education. All proceeds from CA/PSA fundraising events are being used to fund the conference.

Take off those basketball jerseys and sneakers and put on your bowling shoes because CA/PSA is holding their second "Rice Bowl" bowling tournament on Sunday, April 2 at 9 p.m. at Bowlero Lanes, 5480 W. Alameda Ave. The bowling tournament follows in the success of the first "Rice Bowl" in February. CA/PSA will be giving away cash and other prizes and is hoping to get a deejay to keep bowlers and spectators entertained. For more information on the event call Phong Ly at 303-596-6898.