BROOKLYN — They traded backhands before the match even started.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. each predicted a win ahead of Saturday’s handball rematch during the Johnny Ray Memorial Pro Wall Ball Tournament in Gravesend Saturday afternoon.
“This message specifically goes out to Borough President Ruben “Can’t Play Handball” Diaz Jr. I challenged you to a rematch,” Adams said while holding the “Johnny Ray Cup” trophy in a YouTube video posted Jan. 20. “You lost last year, come back. If you want it, come get it.”
Diaz Jr. was unfazed in his response.
“Last year was last year, but great teams know how to bounce back from adversity,” the borough president said. “We intend to show Brooklyn that we are ‘Bronx Strong’ and plan on bringing the championship where it belongs — the best borough in New York City, The Bronx.”
The tournament is taking place from 3 to 9 p.m. at the sports facility MatchPoint NYC at Shell Road and Avenue Z in Gravesend.
Team Brooklyn and team Bronx are set to square off at 5 p.m.
Diaz Jr. and Adams will also speak during the event about the importance of sports for health and youth empowerment.
