1st Nokia Asha & 34th FBA basketball event opens with a bang

In another milestone for Filipino Basketball Association (FBA) the longest running basketball league in Jeddah successfully launched the
much awaited 1st Nokia Asha & 34th FBA basketball tournament in a grand opening day last Friday.
The opening program started with a colorful parade of 33 teams followed by a welcome address of FBA president Edgar Mendoza and an inspirational message from Philippine Consulate representative and chief guest Labor Attache Alex Padaen.
Other special guests who attended the event were Mohamed Bayoumi, a friend of the Filipino community and recipient of the prestigious Presidential Banaag Award, Ramon Soriano, SAMCO factory manager; Alex Sales, ABS-CBN TFC Head of Sales in KSA along with Ben Morales, Master Nestor C. “Art” Suliva, Jess Cerbito, Rashad Barmada and Ramzi Barmada of Team-up Events Management, Reda Hossain, training manager of Sheraton Jeddah Hotel and other representatives of sponsoring companies and participating teams.
Teams that paraded from five divisions were: Inter-Company Bona fide A – Al-Bahrawi, Al-Hamrani (RBF), Fakeeh Hospital, Hanco, Nesma Holding Co. Ltd., Sarco-Shoaiba and Takbo. Inter-Company Bona fide B – Alshaya-New Breed, Ford Motorcraft Al-Jazirah Motor Vehicles, Institute of Pablic Admin (IPA)-Marogong, Avengers, Saudi Amana, Setra, and Tetra Pak. Inter-Hotel & Restaurant – Movenpick Al-Nawras Resort, Hyatt Park Hotel, Steak House, 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. Inter-Commercial Open Rated Division – SAMCO-Marogong, Shadow Lounge, Friendster and Faisal Park.
Five best teams in uniform were awarded to Nesma Holding Co. ltd., Steak House, Setra, New Breed and Ford Motorcraft Al-Jazirah Vehicles teams while Best Muse awards went to muses of Hanco, Setra, New Breed, Movenpick Resort Al-Nawras, Al-Hamrani and Takbo.
The 2012 Himig Ng Kalayaan grand champion, Eugene Manimtim, Jeddah’s finest diva, Jeanette Cerbito, and the new Bayanihan Dance Crew entertained the crowd with their song and dance numbers.Free raffle draw prizes were also given away from generous sponsors. Dennis Quinones and Willy Cartagena hosted the event.
Samco-Marogong of head coach Elmer Goze and team manager Glen Berdin won the day’s Open Rated game, 81-66 over Friendster of head coach Alain Ng, asst. coach Amang Catador and team manager Cris Melebo.
The game recorded 6 deadlocks till the third quarter of the game. Boyet Bautista and Ryan Reyes shared scoring honors for Samco with 27 points while Ubalde added 10 points. Christian Guimpatan had 25 points, Mark Basa 12 and Jay Liam 8 for Friendster. Adjudged best player of the game was Ryan Reyes of Samco.
Another Friendster team of Melebo and Catador in an Open Non-rated division regained its pride when they beat Al-Muhaidib of Robert de Guzman and Pablo Viscayhno by 83-74. Friendster top scorers were Alturas with 21 points, Lagria 19 points and Zorilla 12 points while for Muhaidib were Vizcayno and Buhano wth 12 points, Toledo 11 points and Mateo 10 points. Alturas was best player of the game.
Third and last game between Jeddah Warriors of coach Julius Blanquera and team manager Daisy Lopez against Hanco of head coach Jess Manlapaz and team manager Edgar Ainza was another exciting match. Warriors defeated Hanco in a dingdong battle at the final score of 74-70. The game recorded 7 deadlocks. Top scorers for Warriors were Payawan 30 points, Pasco 14 points and Genil 13 points while Jayjay 23 points, Naguit 15 points and Amor 9 points for Hanco. Adjudged best player of the game was Payawan of Warriors.
FBA management would like to express their appreciation to the generous sponsors led by Nokia Asha smartphones through Paul Nehme, Nokia Asha marketing manager in KSA & Yemen, the ever supportive Toya of Pinehill Arabia Food Limited of Tayyab Ali Butt, marketing assistant; the House of Donuts (Nassier Group) of Samir Nassier, Palson Household Appliances through Issa Samhan, sales manager, t Ali Café of Rafael Villa Castin, brand manager and, of course, to the management of Sheraton Jeddah Hotel.