RIYADH, 30 November — Basketball aficionados and other sport enthusiasts went agog last Friday afternoon to watch the opening of the popular inter-hospital basketball tournament organized in tandem by HOSTT and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center Employee Social Club (KFSH&RC-ESC). The eleven participating hospital teams were all geared up complete with cheering squad and other supporters.
Starting at 3:30 p.m. with a basketball clinic as Part I of the day’s program, the opening ceremonies that lasted until midnight was attended by recreation managers, staff and other guests from the various hospitals, including W. Al Thumairi, Mohammed Shagdaly and Hermie Jimenez of Security Forces Hospital, Cecil Agustin and Nits Fernandez of KKESH; Lafayette Caliolio of Habib Medical Center and their sponsors Wissam Hassanieh and Wael Sleihan of Tyco Healthcare. The official referees from FCBR and table officials included President Nestor Carlos, Secretary-General Jake Floira, VP Ernie de la Cruz; Mohammed Villamena, Ed Tamayo, Boyet, Liboon, Rodel Bulaon, Jun Bautista, Edsel Del Rosario, Egay Labao and Alvin Mendoza.
Part II ushered the parade of colors and a brief opening program . In her welcoming address, KFSH&RC Recreation Leader Muriel Aquino, a former national basketball player for 11 years, who is also the HOSTT chairperson, thanked everyone who made the affair possible, especially her superiors and colleagues in the Recreation department for supporting the tournament; the HOSTT EXECOM for their selfless effort in doing the preparations. Among those supporting Aquino included Arnold Dailo, Rommel Rint, Prescie Cavida, Rowena Matila and Ibrahim; HOSTT Treasurer Josie Alimpuangon, Ariel Potes. HOSTT founder and adviser Perla Vega prepared the Program Brochure and other documentation materails.
Coordinator of the KFSH Recreation Services Ala’a Aldeen Hamad, in delivering his inspirational talk, said he looked forward to this occasion as the beginning of a greater partnership and collaboration in the promotion of wholesome, recreational friendly sport competitions in the various fields in the days ahead, he commended all those responsible for the success of the affair and enjoined all the participants to adopt a winning attitude. Last year’s MVP Wally Talens led the oath of sportsmanship; and the declaration of the tournament opening by HOSTT Basketball Subcommittee chairman Vic Cardenas of RKH/PSCC. The “best in uniform” decision went to KFSH team, the shirts and shorts coming from Al-SAFI-DANONE while the jacket and jogging pants were sponsored by Muriel Aquino; RKH./PSCC is runner-up.
For the mascot, HABIB’s Tony Caliolio was adjudged the “best mascot” with runner-up given to KFNCC’s Nikki Flores & Maricris de los Santos. The ceremonial toss at 6:00pm gave way to the maiden match in which Dallah was drawn to play the defending champion KFSH team; followed by KKESH vs. Al Habib and KFNCCC vs. KSU.
Al Safi Juice and Danone milk-juice products courtesy of Khaldoun Shaaban were distributed to the players and guests by Jhun Carlos and Mhar Marcelo; Pepsi products were distributed courtesy of Khalid Rabeeah; and Power Horse drinks and gift items were brought for the raffle by July Evangelista and Nelson courtesy of Hermann Ritz, Ramon Quema, Jr. and Ramsey Tabing.
