JEDDAH, 4 January — Over a thousand basketball fans from various camps in Shoaiba witnessed the successful opening ceremony of the 12th FBA 3rd Shoaiba Basketball Tournament at the Saudi Archirodon Basketball Court in Shoaiba, Jeddah.
All participating teams paraded in their colorful uniforms all tailored by Sports World Sportswear, one of the tournament sponsors. Adjudged as best in uniform was the entry of ABB — Alstom (Alstom Power Generation) managed by Arnold Baptisma.
Participating teams include Alstom Power Generation, Al-Abbas (Alstom), Al-Abbas (Sarco), SkyFreight Forwarders, El Caviteno, GAMA, SARCO Selection and Saudi Archirodon (Infanta).
The tournament is sponsored by Saudi Archirodon (Anthony Petassis & John Ioannou ) Sports World Sportswear (Gil Manese). Al-Abbas Est. (Salem Al-Abbas), Camel International Transport & Cargoes (Allan Zarsosa), ANB Telemoney (Samir Mustapha & William Sali) and Al-Gosaibi Catering (Kamal).
Esmail (Mike Ali) graced the occasion, representing Labatt Carlos Sta. Ana of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Jeddah).
Mike Ali congratulated the organizing committee and all of the participating for the wonderful opening ceremony and wished them the best and the eventual success of the tournament.
He assured the crowd that sports events (basketball and others) are fully supported by the Philippine Consulate officials headed by Ambassador Kadatuan P. Usop. Other prominent figures who attended the opening ceremony were John Ioannou of Saudi Archirodon, Salem Al-Abbas of SATS, Allan Zarsosa (Camel Cargo manager) and Allan Sellones of Nesma Emcor. Organized by the Filipino Basketball Association based in Jeddah, the members of the tournament organizing committee are Gil Manese (president), Willie Corpuz (tournament chairman), Hernan Huerto (vice president & commissioner Jeddah) Estelito Martin (tournament director Jeddah), John Villa (tournament commissioner Shoaiba), Marvin Carpio (operations director), Allan Zarsosa (marketing & logistics director), Rey Tubig (Anchorman), Bhoy Lacson (staff), Alex Garcia (staff) and Jess Santos (staff).
In the opening match between GAMA of coach Batino and Al-Abbas (SARCO) of Jorge Roxas, the former won over the latter only by a field goal (61-59) in a championship pattern .
The game was a ding-dong battle at the first twenty minutes with leading by only four points. In the ensuing ballgame, the dynamic duo of Guste and Rubiano plus the able support of slotman Montalla and Aquino kept the team very much alive.
Sensing defeat, Coach Jorge Roxas of Al-Abbas (SARCO), called for a cease-fire with two minutes remaining when the score was 54-52 in GAMA’s favor and gave his last minute instructions. Regrouped, the score was tied at 54-54 all, 56-56 all and 58 all until the boys of coach Roxas got two consecutive fouls, three of which were converted into points that resulted to their defeat with the final count of 61-59.
Adjudged as best player of the game was E. Guste contributing a total of 17 points.
The guests were so happy with the first game result that convinced them to stay and watch the second and final game of the night. Game No. 2 was between SkyFreight (GAMA) of coach Romjie and Al-Abbas (Alstom) team headed by Coach Joel Cuaresma. Again, the game started well with both teams fielding their ace players.
Coach Romjie of SkyFreight Forwarders sent in Cafuer, Tordera, Soriano, Gambol and Sidocon that turned out formidable, while Coach Cuaresma fielded in and banked on the nice playing ability of Marvin Carpio, Dela Cruz, Capasgorao, Delima and Maravive.
The first phase of the match went on quite closed with the score of 29-27 at the end of the first half and SkyFreight leading by only two points over Al-Abbas (Alstom). Coach Cuaresma employed a man to man defense and put more muscle in the second half and were able to tie the score for several times but the breaks of the game dictated the result of the game.
Costly errors by two of his players turned the tables on them and catapulted to the victory of SkyFreight Forwarders team with the final score of 65-59.
FIBRA group headed by veteran coach Marlon Garcia and ably supported by Benjie Asa, Jing Abalos, Atoy Anico and other able referees handled officiating.
The tournament is being played every Thursday — from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 and every Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
