Second Nokia Asha FBA basketball tourney off to grand start

JEDDAH: It was another milestone and a record breaking event for Filipino Basketball Association (FBA) for staging another successful grand opening joined by selected teams in a much awaited 2nd Nokia Asha and 35th FBA basketball tournament.
The opening program started with a colorful parade of 53 teams followed by the opening remarks of Kasapi Chairman, Rodolfo Cornejo and a welcome address via video of FBA President Edgar Mendoza.
Early game winners Friendsters against Saudi Oger-Gulf Bridge in a final score of 49-35. It was a very heartbreaking game with good defense from both teams. Adjudged best player of the game was Noy Magat who also scored 14 points while Hariri 10 points and Framo 9 points for Saudi Oger-Gulf Bridge team.
For the second game KIA Motors of coach Rene Valle and team manager Renato Sacramento defeated another strong team of Giordano-Juffali of coach George Galsim and team manager Elvin Pineda in a finals score of 89-74. Adjudged best player of the game was Julia, who also scored 16 points. Other top scorers for KIA were Figueroa 12 points and Maulana 11 points while for Giordano-Juffali team were Reyes got 20 points, Mago 15 points and De Villa 9 points.
For the third and last game, Dr. Suleiman Fakeeh Hospital team of coach Zaldy Ramos beat the Saudi German Hospital team of coach Demetrio Velasquez in a final score of 74-69. Adjudged best player of the game was Dela Paz, who also scored 20 points with Cabitan 15 points and Villalobos 10 points while for SGH team were Domingo 16 poibts, Guntalib 14 points and Anthony 16 points.
Teams that paraded from five divisions were:
Inter-Company Group A: AVK, Gharib, Giordano-Juffali, Hanco, KIA Motors, Nesma Holding, Pepsi Cola, Silencer 1 & Toyota-ALJ.
Inter-Company Group B: AIC, Al-Majal G4S, New Breed-AlShaya, Focus Advertising, ITC, Komatsu-ALJ, Petromin Express, Silencer 2 & Zahid Tractor.
Inter-Company Group C — Al-Mabani, AMI Sarabia, Gulf Taleed, INMA, Safari, Jeddah Eagles, Hybrids, Veolia Water and Ford Motors-Al-Jazeerah.
Inter-Hotel & Restaurant Division: Inter-Continental Hotel Jeddah, Jeddah Hilton Hotel, Movenpick Jeddah Hotel, Park Hyatt Jeddah, Lutong Bahay-Paninos, Saudia Catering and Sheraton Jeddah Hotel.
Inter-Hospital Reinforced Division: Al-Mashfa Hospital, Dr. Suleiman Fakeeh Hospital, King Abdulazis University Hospital, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital (KFAFH), Salam Health Care and Saudi German Hospital (SGH).
Inter-Commercial Open Non-rated Division: Al-Muhaidib, Al-Rabea Faisal Park, Friendsters, Hilti, Jeddah United, Saudi Oger, Redtag, Sunbullah, Tarek Rahhal.
Inter-Commercial Open Rated Division: Avengers, Faisal Park, Friendsters and Jeddah United.
Best teams in uniform: Saudia Catering Service, Inter-Continental Jeddah Hotel, Zahid Tractor, AVK and Gulf Bridge Point Eppolight.
Best Muse: KIA Motors, Saudi German Hospital, Inter-Continental Jeddah Hotel, KAAUH and Friendsters teams.
Also, other special guests who added more colors in the event were the 2012 Himig Ng Kalayaan Grand Champion, Eugene Manimtim. The event was hosted by Willy Cartagena and Nestor “Master” Suliva.
The matches are played every Thursdays and Fridays from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Sports Complex. For more info please contact the following numbers 0551282346, 0542642604 and 0561150049 or e-mail at [email protected]