JEDDAH, 30 January 2004 — The Seiko-JBL year 2004 invitational basketball tournament opened with 16 teams out of 21 parading in their resplendent uniforms during the opening ceremony held in the Bin Mafouz basketball court here.
JBL President Mohammad Rasheed Suyat and OFSA Chairman Jojo Ligan led the opening ceremony with David Des Dicang — asst. labor attache, Rosauro Octaviano — labor welfare officer & Titing Lim — case officer, Abdulah Khayyat & Ernie Roces — Al Zafer Cargo, Abel Chavenia (Jaly Express), Mohammad Bayoumi — Al Haddaf tailoring & Jimmy Beltran — JSO executive director grace the special occasion.
The award for the best team in uniform went to ALJ Hospital/Toyota XA team (Inter-Hospital), Hempel Paints (Inter-Company) & United Yousef Naghi — Philips Division (Open non-rated) while the best mascot award went to ALJ Hospital/Toyota XA team (Inter-hospital), Salam Brothers (Inter-Company) & Jologs (Open non-rated).
Saudi German Hospital beat Mega Clinic-Nandos 72-40. Saudi German Hospital caught Mega Clinic flat footed in the first half of the game. Mega Clinic-Nandos applied a man to man defense in the fourth quarter forcing Saudi German to commit passing errors to trim the lead to single digits. Saudi German then went to the open man for their final assault. Gamba topscored with 23 points for Saudi German Hospital and was adjudged the Seiko player of the game while De Grano scored 13 points for Mega Clinic-Nandos.
This tournament is principally sponsored by Seiko- Al Hussaini & Co. (Abdul Rahman Alhussaini) with co-sponsors Alhamrani-Fuchs Petroleum (Haytham Hawarneh), Giordano Fashions (MAK Jeelani), La Farilla Restaurant (Cel), ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel, Arab News and Al Haddaf Sports Wear (Mohammad Bayoumi).
In the Inter-Company Division, Salam Brothers defeated Jarir Bookstore 52-31. It was a ding-dong battle till the third quarter. Salam Brothers applied a running game in the fourth and head coach Ed Diaz masterfully shuffled his wards to quell Jarir Bookstore’s tall frontline. Jarir Bookstore head coach Wagner Laconico instructed his players to muscle inside but his wards continued to miss. Jameel Lumanog chipped in with 20 points for Salam Brothers and was the choice for the Fuchs Petroleum player of the game while Mapagdalita topscored with 14 points for Jarir Bookstore.
Al Anjal International School scored over Jologs 63-47. Ronald Batarao and Wen Villegas were unstoppable in their outside sniping while Al Anjal frontline dominated the shaded area in the final quarter. Jologs’ costly errors in the last 2 minutes gave Al Anjal their first win. Ronald Batarao topscored with 11 points for Al Anjal and was adjudged the Seiko player of the game while Jong Agustin scored 22 points for Jologs.
This event is managed by Jeddah Basketball League (JBL) headed by Mohammad Rasheed Suyat (president) & Joe dela Cerna (commissioner) with Basketball Referee’s Group (BRG) headed by Peter Ronatay (Chairman) and Ric Lumasag (vice chairman) calling the shots.
