JEDDAH, 27 December 2002 — After three months of grueling games at the COCG Basketball Court, the 7th Seiko-15th FBA Basketball Tournament is now a step away from concluding the tourney. Principally sponsored by Al-Hussaini & Co. (Seiko) the event was made possible through the generosity of Abdul Rahman Al-Hussaini and the kind effort of Hussam S. Salahi and Muhammad Ali Taleb of the same company. It has the support of Giordano Fashions, ABS-CBN the Filpino Channel, Nivea, Dulux Paints (SCI Paints), Sky Freight Forwarders, Sports World Tailoring and CMS International. Eight teams will receive huge trophies and valuable awards (Samsung, Mashat Al-Sharq, Jeddah Cable, Arabian Gulf, Al Qahtani, United Plastic Co. & Al Sorayai Co. ) from the organizing committee led by Gil Manese (president), Brando Hernandez (Commissioner) and Goody Viajedor (tournament director). More than twenty individual awards will be given to the recipients during the awarding ceremony that will be held right after the double championship matches at the Sheraton Compound Basketball Court in Jeddah. Expected to draw a mammoth crowd, the championship games will start from 7:00 p.m. The first match between Samsung Electronics and Mashat Al-Sharq, is expected to be a down the wire ballgame. The final match between Saudi Hi-Tech of Mike and Almira Ali and Goody’s (formerly Jeddah Slicers) of Johnny Magalang is expected to be a very tough match in as much as almost all the strong Class B players will play including Aaron Mayo, Rey Buhat, Jun Mabarit, Abril Mabarit, Ric Belarmino, Lando Malinao, Tejada, Dagohoy, Atienza, Barry Nader, Jong Agustin, Jef Liwag, Jess Clata, Ochoa and Torres. Immediately after the first championship match, the awardees will be called to receive their awards.
Expected to grace the occasion are officials from the Philippine Consulate and prominent community leaders from KASAPI Congress headed by Ben Garcia, Rudy Dianalan, Gerry Cuares, Romy Bani, Ed Rufino, Vic Aguila, Ric Cordero, Raffy Campiao, Greg Quimos, Bennie Duremdez, Abdulfatah Mogawan, Omar Mitchel, Bobby Dalos, Rams Gunao, Mike Ali, Billy Felipe, John Asperilla III, Boy Cornejo and may others. In a related development, the ongoing 1st Samsung — 15th FBA Basketball Tournament is now on its second month and still continuously attracting a huge crowd of basketball aficionados. Eight teams won in last week games as follows: Jamjoom vowed to the stronger team of Junastar (EKC) of Jun Astilla. Topping the score list are Batarao and Castro for Junastar while Adriano, Dolloso, Alcala and Navor did well for Jamjoom. Al Majal ServiceMaster of Ken Bautista nailed down their rivals (Hempel Paints of Noel Atienza) 70-65 with nice showing of Carpio, Consignado, Gayobia and Ramos. AMS-Baeshen Tea Industries headed by Jess Clata won by default over Sadafco of Mahamoud Bandar and Rolly Suing. The most thrilling game was the championship match (best of seven) between Hafil Transport of Jojo Esquivias and Danny Lequins and Al Tayar Plastic of Ommie Araneta and Fahad Al Khuteifi. The former lost to the latter (89-92) in a very exciting match. A newcomer, Hernandez (No. 4) displayed good playing ability and contributed well to his team led by the Mabarit brothers, Jun & April. Pakie, Dizon, Bautista and Nap Solis gave all what they can but to no avail. Sadafco, again lost to the ALJ Rehab team, ALJ-Toyota of Jimmy Beltran & Jun Gonzales won over the equally strong team of Al-Yanabie and a tough ballgame (85-76). Al Majal also won over the Unilever team of Leo Rivera and Zahid Tractor vowed to the strong team of Samsung Electronics (UMG) 84-76. Other supporters of the 1st Samsung-FBA Basketball Tournament are: House of Donuts, Dulux Paints, ABS-CBN TFC, Giordano Fashions, Nivea, Sadafco, Qatar Airways, WRJ Cargo, Sky Freifgt Forwarders, Junastar, CMS International, Sports World Tailoring and FAL-GM- Lorenzo Cargo. Referees: FBA Officiating Group (FOG) headed by Benjie Asa, Atoy Anico, Danny Ramos, Danny Gulapa, Tony, and Omeng Labrias. The 16th FBA Basketball Tournament will start on March 28, 2003 at the Sheraton Compound. You may call Gil Manese at 6686578 or 053676670 for further details. (Gil Manese)
