PORCH 9th Open Invitational basketball tourney opens

The 9th Season of Pinoy Overseas at Royal Commission Hospital (PORCH) Open Invitational Basketball Tournament organized by Filipino Overseas Workers at Royal Commission Hospital kicked off at the packed Al Huwaylat Gymnasium Sports Club here last Friday.
Twenty-nine teams paraded in their splendid uniforms. Flour Arabia Ltd. in Division A and REDA Fire & Hazard Control in Division B took the Best in Uniform plums, while John Cayanan of East & West Arcan was named Mr. PORCH Idol Season 9 and the Best Team Banner was awarded to REDA Fire and Hazard Control.
The tournament to for four months is being sponsored by Saudi Ready Mix through Willy De Lara, the company’s Chief of Finance, Mobily & Globe Telecom, through Rannie Basanta and Al Khonaini Company with supports from individual donors and Filipino Organizations in the Eastern Region like Trainors Jubail Chapter, Scout Royals Brotherhood, International Shooters Oranization (ISO), Kabayan Restaurant, Mc Donald’s Restaurant, Kadiwa Supermarket, Eugene Angeles, Ponch Luna, Rodel Toledo and Corazon Reyes.
During the opening ceremonies, Labor Attaché to Eastern Region Adam Musa, thanked all participating teams and congratulated the organizing committee headed by Jun Estruche for a job well done. He emphasized the importance of a sports gathering to break the monotony of life in the camp and proactive life style while away from their family.
“It is important that you are enjoying your time in Saudi Arabia with active lifestyle and physically fit, it’s a way of relieving stress and meeting new friends in this kind of sporting event,” said Musa.
“We, in PORCH are committed to bring fun, excitement with entertainment using our favorite sports – basketball, said Estruche, PORCH overall chairperson. “Filipinos are pro-active and health conscious that’s why we are staging a bi- yearly event to come closer to our fellow expat from all parts of this area, our mission is to fight homesickness and with our free medical check-up, we mean commitment to our noble causes” Estruche added.
The Jubail Dance Company (JDC) entertained the crowd as did Wayne Ford Calissen, Noel Recondo and Joemel Rocillosa with their song numbers.The well attended opening ceremony was hosted by Andy Anoche Cauyan and Cris Peralta.
National Association of Mapua Alumni – KSA Chapter (NAMA-KSA) President Elmer Reyes graced the occasion. He saluted the men and women behind the success of PORCH.
In the opening salvo, the defending champion and powerhouse cast of East & West Arcan drawing premium performances from sky walker Felix Florendo, Maclean Lontoc and Jay De Leon, cruised to an easy 78-88 victory over Flour Arabia Ltd. The Arcan five poured everything it got from the onset and blasted the undermanned Flour Arabia squad to open its campaign.
In another game, Reda Fire & Hazard Control underlined its billing as the team to beat this season with a convincing 87-71 win over Global Tamimi Vipers.
Completing the roster of participating teams are: Abyam Team, Daelim – Jer, East West Arcan, Flour Arabia Ltd., Gulf Guard, Kabayan Resto, Al Khonaini Company, GEMS – UE, PSG Gunners, RCH Pirates, and Saudi Ready Mix for Division A, while 69ers, AECS Jaguars, Bin Habeeb, Cebu Ninos, Confideral Pampanga, Dealim-Jer, Espina Gems, Intruders, JEGSIL Thunder, Saudi Arabian Kentz, Al Khonaini Company, NTC Try Resto, RamJan Slashers, REDA Fire Hazard & Control, Shepherd Team, SRACO Team, Tamimi Global and Triomada for Division B crown.
With Estruche in the Organizing Committee are Jun Peronilla, Rey, Tubig, Ronnie Mendoza, Patrick Padilla, Sherwin Malabanan, Jaypee Santos, Andy Anoche Cauyan, Nelson Mapa, Allan Sia, Melvin Apilan, Grace Araujo, Joel Sogocio, Romi Cruz, G-Boie Lacsamana, Drage Dumoran, Nasser Areno, Robert Matawaran, Jacklord De Villa, Jun Mendoza members of the Paramedic Teams are Fernan Amaro, the Head of Medics, with members Karen Poce, Carmelita Peronilla, Christian Yu, Mervin Apilan, Alden Ramen and Ryan Ereno. The Tournament will be officiated by Rolly Temporal, Head of the Officiating with Marlon Echon and Ruel Rosas as members.