JEDDAH: Filsama offers Jeddah basketball fans something different than the usual fare as it welcomes Riyadh select team along with individual players from the Eastern Province for a two-day exhibition starting on Monday at the Jeddah Sports Academy court on Tahlia-Sitten Road in Aziziah District .The gate will open an hour before game time at 6 p.m. as only limited seats are available, according to the organizing Filsama Basketball League. There will be a raffle draw on the second day, FBL added.
The Riyadh Selection, headed by manager Ver dela Cruz and coach Polly Arellano, is expected to arrive Sunday evening. Also arriving Sunday are Rexona-Unilever reinforcement players Omar Asmad, A. Simpras, Buboy Rodriguez, Joel Duallan and Porio, who are all based in the Eastern Province, and A. Ibno from Riyadh.
To arrive Monday morning from Dammam are reinforcement for RJM Cargo – Friendster of Jag Malit and Cris Melebo namely Allan De Castro, Albert Arnoy, Christian Guevarra, Dave Gaña, Eugene Santos, and Rolly Bisda.
The Calo brothers, Kim and Arnold, also are planing in from Jubail to reinforce Pattaya Restaurant which has been renamed Team Love J Cargo under manager Edwin Tulah and veteran coach Boy Corsega.
To the credit of their managers Jeddah teams have gone the extra mile to be competitive against the much-ballyhoed Riyadh squad in the event dubbed 1st Filsama Basketball League Invitational Battle of the Best.
Rexona-Unilever enjoys the support of Unilever Brand Manager Feras Samir Yashou. To handle the team as usual is manager-coach Leo Rivera with Lang Indal as assistant coach.
Under the tournament format winners on the first day will clash for the championship crown the following day. The losers play for third and fourth place. As a side show to the event a slam dunk contest will be held.
The Basketball Officials Group of Jun Lansang will handle the tournament officiating.
Commissioner Abdulmoen “Teng” Laguialam is in charge of this Filsama special project during the Eid holidays. Helping Laguialam run the show are Assistant Commissioner Ruben Villarosa, Technical Director Manny Manalo and Finance Officer Rene Valle.
The table officials are Toami Ali, timekeeper, Romy Dela Cruz, scorer, Ramil “Abdullah” Portillo, statistician and Willy Cartajena, game announcer.
