The Filipino basketball league kicked off it's new season this past weekend.

The newly-christened league is called the CFAY-FCBLY-CFSAY Basketball Tournament.

The league tipped off Friday at Yukon University with 16 Under Division games.

Budget Rental took out Riverstone Dental 65-48. Top scorers for Budget were Rjay Williams with 16 points, Carlos Magsucang with 14 and Jeff Rumbaoa chipped in 13.

Ben Bonilla was top scorer for Riverside with 16 points.

In the second game, L.E.A. Kitchen (Red) defeated L.E.A. Kitchen (White) 79-60. Top scorer for the Red team was Robbie Matthews with 21 points, followed closely by Isiah Cabiso with 20 and Brittony Pagobo netted 17. For the White team, Jon Ainge sunk 21 points, Archie Boyd had 17 and Chris McCarron chipped in with 10 points.

Opening ceremonies for the newly-formed league took place Saturday at F.H. Collins.

The first 35 Open game of the season featured a scorching-shooting Triniti Dental/JPR Cleaning Services team dominating Northwestel 140-77.

All of Triniti's players hit double figures. Chad Williams led the way with 26 points, followed by Jeff Rumbaoa with 23. Ian New swished in 19, Angelo Caringal netted 17, and Nico Sarmiento and Carlos Magsucang added 16 each.

In the process, Triniti set a new record with their deadly three-point shooting, sinking 23 threes.

Northwestel's top scorer was Jocass Aguilar with 16. Big man Soliel Stimson netted 13 points.

The Star asked new Triniti centre Sam Wilson, who scored 13 points, what he thought of the game.

"It was a little one-sided. We shot really well and the defence was there, so it was very much in our favour.

"Our team is pretty good at shooting threes. Just a good start to the season."

Wilson agreed it was a team effort for Triniti.

"The ball moved really well. I don't think anyone hogged it, I think it was really a team game today."

Wilson added "I just like the energy of the league. I like having people come out just to watch and it's a good community gathering as well."

Wilson thinks the combined leagues will help as well.

"I think it will make teams more competitive.

"Players don't have to choose between which league they're going to."

Triniti coach and FCBLY director Joesel Rumbaoa said "It's only the first game. We are the defending champions, so we need to show them how tough our team (is) right now. We still miss a lot of players but a lot of new players are good players right now. Hopefully we'll continue in our next game … same stamina and same play."

Rumbaoa said familiarity was the key to Triniti's victory.

"Most of them is a player of Arctic Winter Games. Most of them is a shooter, half of them and former Yukon players, too. They know each other very well, so they've been playing three to four years already, so they know each other. They know how to play; especially, we have a good point guard, Ian New."

Regarding the three-point barrage, Rumbaoa said "Most of them is a shooter, so every time they are free, they can take a shot."

"Hopefully we can play a lot of defence for the next game," he added.

"Every year we have a good start. Last year, for the first time in the league, no-loss team in the history of Filipino basketball. We don't have a loss last year, so hopefully we continue this year too."

As for the newly combined league, Rombaoa said "It's good for all the Filipinos, all the players, cause we don't have any more go to the other league … so hopefully we'll continue the unification next year."

The second Saturday game saw Home Hardware carve up Chef Angelo 93-77 in a 35 Above Division matchup. Top scorer for Home Hardware was James Russell Tomarong with 18 points. Jo Aying chipped in 16.

For Chef Angelo, slick scorer Bon Bon Posecion led the way with 26 points. Jonel Herrera added 17.

In Saturday's third game, Currie Dixon's team edged Sandy Silver's team 72-69 in a 35 Open grudge match. Gerald New and Ryan Lane each pumped in 20 points to lead Currie.

The top scorer for Silver was Josh Tobias with 23. Cole Marshall netted 16 points.

In the Sunday games, in the 35 Above Division, Irvine Janitorial won a close one over Greatway Financial, 85-71. Top scorer for Irvine was Dustin Heffner with 19 points. Jomski Pahilanga added 16.

For Greatway, Rhene Castillo netted 14 and Ian Pagabo chipped in 13.

In the second game, Conerstone Construction beat Yukon Built in a tight one, 90-86 in 35 Open action. Bryan and Ralph Hermosa led the way for Cornerstone with 28 and 26 points, respectively.

Top scorer for Yukon Built was Jomski Pahilanga with 25. David Stehelin contributed 17 points.

In the third game, in a close 35 Open contest, Northern Gateway beat Knights of Columbus 92-86. Raychen Gianga swished in a team-leading 27 for Gateway, and Wren Agapito added 22.

For K of C, Bon Bon Poscision was at it again with 18 points, and Michael Trinidad scored 14.