JEDDAH, 21 May 2004 — The Filipino Basketball Association (FBA) headed by Gil Manese will host the popular selection of the Eastern Province (EPBL) managed by Rashed Al-Hatlan, Edwin Caliboso and Jhun Sanchez and they will play an exhibition match against a Jeddah selection.
Manese said, "This will be the greatest basketball event for the Filipinos.
We know that EPBL has outstanding players that include former MBA and PBA players and thematch will be exciting," Manese said.
EPBL line-up include Anthony Nabong, 6Ɗ" from TSU & Pangasinan Waves, Darwin Tuazon, 6Ɔ" LIT Tarlac Varsity Player, Rolly Bisda, 6Ɔ" St. Michael College, Pampanga, Marc Nicolas Morales, 6ƈ" Rizal Tech.
University, Edgar T. Bucalin, 6Ɔ" Tarlac State University, MVP Tarlac Inter Town, Nolram Aquino, 6Ɖ" Letran College & Batangas Blades, Noel Malibiran, 5" Limay, Bataan & Inter Town Player, Jessie Cabanayan, 5Ə" MLQU, Purefoods Hotdogs (PBA), Ernie Baggay, 5ཆ" MLQU, RP National Team member (Jrs.) and Jimmy Santos. 5ཇ" University of the Assumption Pampanga Varsity player.
Other members of the EPBL delegation are Gil Rivera (Coach), Nelson Gaviola, Rashed Al Hatlan (Team Adviser), Jun Sanchez (EPBL Commissioner), Edwin Caliboso, Alex Dela Reyna, Santiago Ascutia, Romy Navidad, Kim Cortez nd Edgar Ret.
The Jeddah (FBA) All Stars members are Coach Boy Corsega, Ritchie Estrada, 5ཆ' Laguna College, Arnold Bansil 6Ƈ" Pampanga Selection, Abril Mabarit, 5ཇ" Arellano University, Dindo Garces, 6" of Batangas University, Jhong Rapada, 5ཆ" University of Manila, Omeng Sahagun, 5Ǝ" PUP, John Gatchalian, 6ƈ" PICAA, Dante Rivero, 5ཇ" Jose Rizal University, Alvin Serrano, 6ƈ" Pampanga Dragons, Don Persia, 6Ɖ" Iloilo Volts, Leo Almoite, 5ཆ" University of Pangasinan, Nonoy Dones, 5ཆ" Adamson University and Barry Nader 6Ƈ" Siliman University.
This event, dubbed " Battle of Regional Champions " on June 3 & 4 and the championship matches of the ongoing 10th Seiko-18th FBA Basketball Tournament both at Ittihad Sports Club are both principally sponsored by Al-Hussaini & Co (Seiko) through Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Hussaini, Hussam Salahi and Mohammed Ali Taleb.
Other sponsors include Zahid Tractor & H.M. Co., Ltd., Giordano Fashions, Samsung Electronics (UMG), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Power Horse Energy Drink, Tokyo Games, Metito Arabia Industries, Pepsi Cola, SkyFreight Forwarders, Mega Top Express Cargo, Junastar Cargo, Amer Cargo Services, Ay Sarap Restaurant, WRJ Cargo, Calson Management Services, Tropicana Restaurant, Makati Express (LBC) Air & Sea Cargo and Sports World Tailoring.
Meanwhile, Sharbatly Corporation team headed by Richie Penaflor and Coach Alex Torremania won by a field goal margin over SPS-Kodak Express of Coach Lito Dela Cruz & Loi Atienza (80-78). Sharbatly will face Unilever-Close-up in a best of three games championship series. Hanco Maintenance beat Saudi Hi-Tech 83-81 in another clash.
