Jokers, SCL clinch openers in 1st Indomie-SBA cagefest

The 1st Indomie-SBA (Safari Basketball Association) Invitational Basketball Tournament dubbed Bouncing 2013 kicked off last Friday in colorful opening ceremony at Safari New Camp multi-purpose sports ground before hundreds of spectators.
Eight out of the 12 teams that entered the tournament paraded in their resplendent uniforms with Mastoura Electric Co. winning the glass trophy for Best Team in Uniform awarded by Vice Consul Jim Minglana of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah and assisted by Faisal Akbar, marketing coordinator of Indomie.
Jokers and Safari Co. Ltd. (SCL) won the opening day games against GACA-ANS 75-59 and Mastoura 69-64.
Minglana gave an inspirational talk while Master Nestor Cuizon Suliva, SBA-KAIA founder-chairman-commissioner, delivered the welcome address.
PAFL (Pinehill Arabia Food Ltd.), sole distributor of Indomie noodles worldwide, is the tournament major sponsor. Co-sponsors include Arab News, ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel (TFC), PAMAC Int’l. PHILMASA Int’l, Nesnic Cafeteria, Graal’s Beauty Care Saloon and Safa Water.
According to Suliva the tournament launch was a job well done and the rest of the organizing committee deserve an appreciation including SBA adviser Rey “Amarz” Amarille. Suliva also cited the support of SNC Manager Gamal M. Bushara, Assistant Manager Bobby L. Victoriano and Supervisor Ben M. Ramiscal.
Suliva said his group felt honored with the presence of Minglana and his entourage.
The JOG (Jeddah Officiating Group) headed by its president Noel Miguel with Chairman Jonathan Canda, who is also the current FBA commissioner, and referees John Lee and Romyr Cabalu handles the tournament officiating.
First Game:
Jokers 75 GACA-ANS 59: Jokers got off to a fine start with timely passes and brilliant assists by Jay Sipat and big rebounds by center Edward Ballinan.
Jay and Larry each scored 16 points while Ballinan and playing coach Jon Azupardo contributed 10 points apiece. Vincent, Eric, Ferdie, Ember, Marvin and Joel were the other players at Jokers.
GACA-ANS triggerman Lagnayo along with power forward JJ Saliwan and guard Santos and the rest of their teammates in Nitario, Brian, Tragura, Cabrera Supanan, Mercado, Doroin and Scramento did their best to win to no avail. From 46-all the Jokers pulled away thanks to barreling drives and fastbreak conversions from Sipat and Azupardo.
SCL 69 Mastoura Electric Co. 64: Roederick Lola scored 19 points, most of them on fastbreak plays, to lead Safari past Mastoura. Rolando Galenzoga’s pullup jumpers and spin moves to the basket, the speed and quickness of Magdar and sweet shooting by Nato Cruz kept Safari in good stead.
Spearheading Mastoura was its team manager-coach Ronyl Sipe. Joel and Leo Lopez kept the game a see-saw affair with four deadlocks. But SCL quickly thwarted their offensive onslaught and ended the second half up by 10 point.
Interested teams may contact Suliva at 0561545895 or Amarille at 0568627922.