Siglakas 2012 Unity Cup opens today in Riyadh

Riyadh: Jun A. Mallare

The most awaited Basketball Tournament 2012 Unity Cup of the Siglakas International Riyadh South District starts today at 4 p.m. at the Dunes Compound Filipino Community basketball court in Olaya Thalateen area here.
Siglakas Riyadh South League Commissioner Henry Dumalaon confirmed 15 teams including 1 guest team from the venue sponsor entered the tournament. Last season’s third placer Dunes will lead Group A with Dumez P.B., Khazzan, King Fahd Hospital, Industrial, Recs 1 and Senayah teams completing the list. In Group B are 2011 league champions Roma and Yamama teams, Al Kharj, Artec, Aziziah, Farazdaq, Shemesy and Wardeh.
The opening ceremony will start with the parade of participating teams and muses followed by the singing of Philippine national anthem to be conducted by Mark Howell Lerio and the opening remarks by Siglakas President Eduardo Sarmiento. Program anchors Joan Malayo, Aiza Guerrero, Hazel Redolme and Sarah Jane Suguitan will introduce guest speakers Siglakas Chairman Willy Espiritu and Sports Commissioner of Dunes Compound Filipino Community Ben Samson Duhaylungsod.
Last season’s MVP Ricky Vargas will lead the oath of sportsmanship to be followed by the awarding of best team in uniform and best muse. Siglakas Adviser Felix A. Flor Jr. will deliver the closing remarks and do the ceremonial toss of the ball.
Opening day games pit Dunes against Industrial and Shemesy against Yamama.
Teams grouped into two brackets play a single round robin in the elimination rounds with top two of each bracket to qualify for the crossover semifinal. The last two teams will battle for third and fourth and the best to contest the championship in a best-of-three series. Regular games will be played Fridays from 4:30 p.m.
The tournament enjoys the generous support of Bukabin-Siglakas International Riyadh South District league advisers Armando C. Ortiz Sr., Felix A. Flor, Jr. and chairpersons Willy Espiritu, Ed Resurreccion, Ricardo Manlutac, Ed Sarmiento, Oscar Rico, Rene Layug, Joe Amoncio, Salvador Vargas, Albert Datijan, Paul Alcantara and Ricky Guerrero. Other Siglakas officers supporting the league are Ricardo De Leon, John Suguitan, Jeff Datoc, Willy Catacutan, Cesar Delos Reyes, Raul Optina, Lito Bayang, Armando Pinulan, Bong Delos Reyes, Jun Urbanes, Emer Espino, Noli Verceles, Elmer Pakinggan, Gilbert Umipig, Raul Villalobos, Noel Tan, Danny Villanueva, Danny Sollestre, Danny Tuazon, Rene Galit, Domeng Mondala, Nestor Imbat, Laurel Lorenzo, Nat Mulleno, Moises Sarmiento and Ernie Ligan. Dunes Compound Filipino Community through Rex Badida and Ben Samson Duhaylungsod also support the tournament.
Henry Dumalaon is the League Commissioner of the Siglakas International Riyadh South District tournament committee. Dumalaon is being supported by the 3-Kapisanan working committee Cris Cabigting, Romeo Manahan, Leo Zamora, Joan Malayo, Aiza Guerrero, Hazel Redolme and Sarah Jane Suguitan. The Siglakas Referees Group led by Artemio Turla will handle the tournament officiating.