Super Bowl 50 is now over and all the beer has been consumed, the pizzas and hoagies eaten, the commercials over, and the Denver Broncos can now enjoy the acclamations, praises, and cheers of a championship team and the pride that it brings to their city.
In Philadelphia… well, that’s another story. We here in the City of Brotherly Love have to wait another year in hopes that our Philadelphia Eagles give us that chance to hoist the Vince Lombardy Trophy over our collective heads.
But why wait? Philadelphia does have a championship game and it’s right in our back yard. The Philadelphia Greek Basketball League is gearing up for what is promising to be a game that will go into the annals of the PGBL history books this Thursday, February 11, 2016 at St. Demetrios’ church hall, for the PGBL Championship IX and who will be champions of the World!
This past Thursday, after a nail-biting overtime game, the Kings, led by Bill Zonios, edged out 2-time champions Danny’s Boy to move into the finals. The young and feisty Wolfpack surrounded and attacked their prey soundly defeating the 76ers to also move on.
The Kings vs. Wolfpack is a clash of Titans and the Kraken will be released.
If last year’s championship game is any barometer to measure this year’s game, the night will certainly be another stellar evening. Prior to the main event, there will be an All-star game, a 3-point shootout, DJ Makis will spin your favorite hits, and although Philadelphia is known for its cheesesteaks and Philly pretzels, it’s the now famous St. Demetrios Church hand-rolled spanakopita that everyone will be munching on. There will be kids and teenagers, parents and grandparents, Greeks and non-Greeks, all there to watch a basketball game, mingle with friends, and be entertained. And admission is free!!
The youthful Wolfpack will have back in play for the championship game two of their top players, Lou Karapanagiotides and Lou Sarris Grau, teaming up with George Vlahos, Nick Papatsiaras, Aris Haritonidis, and the rest of the pack. They will be looking for revenge against the Kings, who knocked them out of the playoffs last year. Meanwhile, the Kings who lost to Danny’s Boys in last year’s championship game are looking to win this one for their main man, Bill Zionis. Fellow teammates Nick Veronis, Alex Veronis, Chris Pylaras, Chris Kourelias, Foti Giannopoulos, and the rest of the team are veterans and experienced players and this match-up will be more exciting than Super Bowl 50.
All-star Game starts at 6:45 PM, 3-Point Shootout at 7:45 PM, and Championship IX Game at 8:30 PM.
Come out and enjoy what is promising to be the game of the year…the game of the decade…a clash of Titans!