1st Nokia Asha-34th FBA Basketball Tournament opens today

Filipino Basketball Association, the longest running basketball league in Jeddah, opens its new tournament for the 2013-2014 season today at Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Sports Complex.
Principally sponsored by Nokia Asha smartphones, the tournament is dubbed 1st Nokia Asha & 34th FBA Basketball Tournament.
FBA President Edgar Mendoza said the tournament will have five competitive divisions with the teams as follows:
Inter-Company Bona fide A – Al-Bahrawi, Al-Hamrani (RBF), Fakeeh Hospital, Hanco, Nesma, Huta Group, Institute of Public Admin (IPA), Sarco-Shoaiba and Rabigh 2; Inter-Company Bona fide B – Alshaya-New Breed, Focus Advertising, Ford Jazirah Motor Vehicles, ME-Mega, Saudi Amana, Setra, Takbo-Body Shop and Tetra Pak; Inter-Hotel & Restaurant – Movenpick Al-Nawras Resort, Hyatt Park Hotel, Steak House, Inter-Continental Hotel, Al-Tazaj, Subway, Ramada Hotel, Saudia Catering, Shadow Lounge and Sheraton Jeddah Hotel. Inter-Commercial Open Non-rated Division – Maharlikans-IMC Balik Islam, Friendster, Paninos, Saudi Bin Laden (SBG), Al-Muhaidib, Rabigh 1, Mohap and Al-Zafer Cargo; Inter-Commercial Open Rated Division – SAMCO-Juffali, Shadow Lounge, Friendster and Faisal Park.
The opening day is scheduled to begin with a colorful parade of teams followed by short opening program.
Invited guests were Consul General Uriel Norman R. Garibay and Labor Attache’ Alex Padaen of Philippine Consulate General, Filipino active community leaders, some VIPs, representatives of participating teams and sponsors of the tournament.
The other special guests include Jeddah diva Jeanette Cerbito, Himig Ng Kalayaan 2012 grand champion Eugene Manimtim and the Bayanihan Dance Crew. Free raffle prizes will also be given away to all lucky winners. The event will be hosted by Paul Antiporda and Dennis Quinones with Erwin Reyes and wife Mariane to head the panel of judges in the selection of Best in Uniform and Best Muse.
Mendoza and Commissioner Jonathan Canda would like to extend their appreciation to the generous sponsors especially to principal sponsor Nokia Asha smartphones through Paul Nehme, marketing manager KSA and Yemen; the ever supportive Toya of Pinehill Arabia Food Limited of Tayyab Ali Butt, marketing assistant, the House of Donuts (Nassier Group) through Samir Nassier, the Palson Household Appliances through Issa Samhan, sales manager; Ali Café through Rafael Villa Castin, brand manager, and of course to the management of Sheraton Jeddah Hotel especially Ramy Siraj Kurdi, executive assistant manager, Reda Hossain, and Abdallah Noor for their support for FBA tournaments.
The event will be covered by TFC, the DXStudio videography, Spectrum’s Bernard Despi and DJ Carl mobile mix.
With Mendoza and Canda in the FBA are Noel Miguel (technical director) and members of the committee, Jason Manacsa, Mario delos Santos, Jessie Sales, Angel Garcia, JOG officials and with guest announcer Willy Cartagena.
For further details, e-mail at [email protected] or call at 0502346231, 0561150049.