JEDDAH, 7 May 2004 — The semifinals of the 10th Seiko-18th FBA Basketball Tournament will begin on May 14 with the following teams in fray: Bonafide Division — Saudi Oger Ltd., Hanco Maintenance, Saudi Hi-Tech and ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel.
Non Rated Division — Unilever-Close up, Sharbatly Corporation, (3rd and 4th positions still being contested by SPS-Kodak Express, Wartsila & Tokyo Games). Inter-Hotel & Hospital Division — King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital (Citroen), The Westin Jeddah, Marriott-Seiko and ALJ-Rehab.
The principal sponsor of the event are Al-Hussaini & Co. (Seiko) through Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Hussaini, Hussam S. Salahi and Mohd. Ali Taleb.
Secondary sponsors: Samsung Electronics (United Matbouli Group), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Power Horse Energy Drink, Toyo Games, Metito Arabia Industries, Giordano Fashions, Pepsi Cola, Mega Top Express Cargo, SkyFreight Forwarders, Junastar Cargo, Amer Cargo, Ay Sarap Restaurant, WRJ Cargo, Calson Management Services, Tropicana Restaurant & Sports World Tailoring
The regional Battle of Champions is on June 3 & 4 between Jeddah Selection and the EPBL (Dammam All Stars). The two-day event is being held in conjunction with the celebration of the 106th Philipine Independence Day and is expected to attract a huge crowd.
The generous sponsors of the special event are Al-Hussaini & Co (Seiko), Samsung Electronics and Zahid Tractor & H.M. Co., Ltd.
Lucky spectators will be awarded 2 units of Samsung TV sets, Seiko bags & shirts and other valuable prizes, FBA President Gil Manese said.
Wartsila Lions of Noel Atienza beat Lube Ref Jeddah (Saudi Aramco) (103-84) through the heroics of Joven Batuhan, Romeo Arce, Joey Alcanar and Ramil Martin.
Gatpandan, Enriquez, Malaika and Sorbito played hard but to no avail. Hanco Maintenance team of coach Edgar Ainza entered the semis by beating ABS-CBN TFC (94-70). Richie Estrada, Arquero and Salvador scored high for Hanco while Batuhan and Consignado fought hard for the TV cagers.
Sarco gave a walkover to Saudi Oger Ltd. of Mario Basilio, while Jeddah Hilton of coach Arnold Aragon suffered another blow losing to Westin Jeddah (83-61) of John Gatchalian, who was instrumental in the team's victory along with Marlon Pordan and Jimmy Villegas.
The most exciting game of the week was between King Fahad General Hospital (Samsung) of Vic Bantay and Seiko-Marriott Hotel of Augusto Estebar.
Marriott-Seiko won by a field goal over Samsung (KFGH) led by Archie Pichay and J. Pansacala (93-91).
Rollie Sudario, Freddie Magat, Hector Quizon and Eric Estigoy led their team to victory.
Unilever-Close up of Daleo Rivera and Tokyo Games of Bandar Alireza gaem saw the former beat the latter (98-91).
Members of the organizing committee are Dick Guinto (Acting Commissioner), Goody Viajedor, Lando Santelices, Delfin Borja and the referees of the FBA Officiating Group headed by Danny Gulapa, Benjie Asa, Omeng Labrias, Elmer Balaguer, Victor Garcia and Dennis Elmenzo.
