The 2nd Maskan Arabia Invitational basketball tournament opened last Friday at the Maskan Arabia Labor Camp on the outskirts of Riyadh.

Opening program started with the parade of colors by all participating teams as follows: Maskan Arabia Company, Citiscape, Cely’s Magic Cream, Samama Contracting, Al Yamama, Inaya Medical College, Al Bustan, Absar, Al Hammadi Hospital and NESMA.

Also, there was the lighting of torch in a relay by Jonathan Vender (Nesma ), Lemuel Gumocay, Torch Guard 1 (Al Bustan) and Exequiel Garcia, Torch Guard 2 (Maskan).

Fahad Al Gafees, HR manager of Maskan Arabia Co., did the brief opening speech, followed by an inspirational remarks by Larri Barcelona, of Maskan Arabia Co., while Francis Tagavilla of Samama did the oath of sportsmanship.

Special guest performer Marni Hostol, a finalist in the recent Riyadh Got Talent 2014 & contestant of Pop Star Saudi Arabia, entertained the crowd. Fahad Gafees & Khalid Khalazani hander over the Certificates of Appreciation to the participating teams.

Meanwhile, JP Aleta (TFC) and Joey Salem awarded the Best In Uniform trophy to Inaya Medical College team. Al Gafees made the ceremonial toss of the ball. Edgar Ballentes delighted the crowd with his wit and humor as the master of ceremony.

In the opening game, Citiscape team beat host Maskan Arabia 97-77, while in the second game, Samama Contracting team downed Yamama Gilas 86-84.

This year’s Organizing Committee is headed by Al Gafees as the tournament chairman. Helping Al Gafees run the show are committee members Larri Barcelona (Budget & Proposal), Edgar Ballentes (Master of Ceremony & Program Preparation), Khalid Khalazani (Procurement & Sponsorship), George Abalorio (Tournament Court Representative), Srejeesh K (Program Design), Joe Lunas (Official Photographer), Arman Napel (All Around Maintenance), and Exequiel Garcia (In-Charge, Table Committee) . The Organizing Committee would like to thank Aplaco as donor of the tournament.

The scores:

First game

Citiscape (97) — Gallajones 23 Francisco 22, Marlon Sabada 12, Michael Sabada 11, Bool 10, Dela rosa 6, Yagum 4, Abba 3

Maskan Arabia (77) — Barrera 19, Abalorio 18, Usop 10, Garcia 10, Tayam 8, Matuguina 6, Garcia 6, La 3

Second game

Samama (86) — Wendel Dacanay 19, Moreno 16, W. Dacanay 13, Tagavilla 11, Abella 8, Marquez 7, Recibido 4, Pia 4, Aguilar 2

Yamama (84) — Losorata 16, Bondoc 13, Olory 12, Escobia 11, Patricinio 10, Padilla 7, Ejorcadas 6, Ampong 4, Romero 2, Brosoto 1, Bigbatz 1