JEDDAH, 19 April — The Abdul Latif Jameel Sports Organization, elated by the successful staging of their recently concluded tournament, formally kicked off the 9th ALJ Invitational Basketball Tournament last Friday at the ALJ court in Al Safa district, Jeddah.
Ten of the eighteen participants that comprised three divisions took turns in setting foot to the court, with ALJ executive director Jimmy Beltran and commissioner June Gonzales spearheading the affair. Aside from the ALJ Group of Companies, several interested companies were also attracted to support the games towards its success including Dora Home Appliances, Giordano Fashions, Al Haddaf Sportswear, Sharbatly Cold Storage.
The inter-company bona fide division attracted the highest number of team entrants, which is why the ALJ organizing committee has decided to split the division into two groups. Leading the cast are the teams of Budget Rent A Car (Manny Lonzaga), Sharbatly Cold Storage (Seifallah Sharbatly and Abe Tacuboy), Saudi Diyar Consultants (Zaldy Capili), Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (Terry Arcilla) and Al Jomaih (Edwin Balagtas).
Other teams expected to make their presence felt are Zuhair Fayez Partnership (Abdulrahman Birung), Hoshanco Limited (Vic Obera), Masa Pest Control (Norman Tayag), Kudu Foodmasters (John Fellas and Bong De Luna) and Saudia Medical (Sandra Annual).
Sending their best bets in the inter-company non-rated division are the teams of Zuhair Fayez Partnership (Abdulrahman Birung), D’Strikers (Eric Castres) and Mohamed Hamuda’s KAMCO team. They will be tested to the hilt by the assaulting threats of Consolidated Preventive Maintenance Company (Jess Mendez), CITB Cargo (Resty Mercado), Bakhsh Hospital, Obhur Jamjoom (Robert Tapales) and Suhair Aytah’s Toshiba team.
The six-team inter-ALJ division is also expected to play an active role in the event. There are several new teams entered and existing teams enhanced their line-ups with the addition or transfer of players. The new teams of Century and NDC, headed by Omar Tolome and Ricky Caunan respectively, are scheduled to strut their wares over the teams of Camry (June Gonzales), Echo (Alex Miraballes), Lexus SC430 (Rene Reyes) and Jimmy Beltran’s Corolla team.
Philippine consul general Kadatuan P. Usop, along with Al Haddaf Sportswear GM Mohamed Bayoumi and Kasapi chairman Ben Garcia attended the affair. Representatives of the different sponsoring companies, team managers and a throng of basketball aficionados also took part, with the selection of best uniforms, most disciplined team and best mascots highlighting the event.
Obhur Jamjoom, donning a customized ensemble of white and blue jogging pants and jacket, claimed the best in uniform trophy, while Joy Mangahas of Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital was unanimously chosen as best muse. Most disciplined team award went to Budget Rent A Car.
