JEDDAH: Panasonic and Publicis Graphics held the 8th annual Street Basketball 3-on-3 tournament at Jeddah’s Corniche basketball court.
The tournament lasted 11 days with 108 four-man teams participating. This was the third year for Panasonic as the main sponsor highlighting its Viera line of flat panel LCD and plasma TVs, and the Lumix line of digital cameras.
Panasonic’s General Manager Hidefumi Kawakita was on hand at the final with his family showing the strong stance of corporate responsibility that Panasonic brings to Saudi Arabia. Panasonic stands strong in the Jeddah community backing events like Street Ball which is the longest running Ramadan tournament in Jeddah. The tournament gives the youth of Jeddah a healthy outlet and competition during the month of Ramadan. Publicis Graphics has been entertaining the crowds of Jeddah with the tournament for eight years. This year’s first place cash prize was SR 10,000, and second place SR 5,000.
The semifinals featured Faisal Park’s Black Ghost team against Al-Ittihad players Black Magic team. It was an inside game all the way with both teams wowing the crowd with their above the rim plays.
Black Magic won by two baskets 9-7 in the 15-minute match to enter the finals. In the second semifinals the Titans played Ittihad. Ittihad took an early lead and went on to win the game 9-5.
Both teams in the finals comprised Ittihad players. Black Magic’s players were, Mohammad Hassan, Mothana Hassan, Omran Fathlata and Hithem Al Fadhi. Ittihad had Ayman Al Madani, Ayman Bilal, Mohammad Al Ashfor, and Faris Nadif. The final had lead changes after every basket.
Ittihad had ball possession with 10 seconds on the clock. Ayman Bilal was in control at the top of the key and with 3 seconds remaining he made his move, dribbling left and passing to the right to Mohammad Al Ashfor under the basket for the bucket with no time left on the clock as Ittihad won 8-7 .
Yousef Farwan, deputy director of the Jeddah Presidency of Youth and Welfare, handed over the checks and trophies with Panasonic’s Kawakita.
