DAMMAM: Bahrain Philippine Cargo (BPC) basketball team stole the show during the parade of teams that highlighted the opening of the 2015 Eastern Province Basketball League at its new home in Al Nahda Club Gymnasium here last Friday.

Parading in their resplendent uniforms BPC team lead by team manager Alex Mejia earned the Most Organized and Best in Team Management, while Saudi Diesel Company lifted the Best in uniform award among the 26 strong teams entered in the tournament.

Rashed Al Hatlan, the founder and adviser of the EPBL, delivered an inspirational message. Singing talent, Johnrey Salvia, founding chairman of Sojourn Music, performed so well that created a loud buzz, while rap artist Wise One wowed the teams.

Meantime, in the opening salvo, Al Iman Company rode an early 20-13 first quarter lead to an 88-71 victory over newcomer Saudi Diesel Company. Al Iman with new coach Marwin Musa had practically all of his boys scoring led by Ferdie Pangan with 20 points. Saudi Diesel’s Robert Pangilinan led all scorers with 25 points but not enough to carry the team of coach Augusto Pacheco. In the other game, newcomer Al Blagha Dammam Shipyard team notched its first win against Zamil offshore 77-73.

2015 Conference EPBL participating teams: ARCC-EEI, Issam Kabbani, Dhahran Basketball Association (DBA), National Pipe Company, FAEC, Phuket Restaurant, PCB Bulldogs, Sharbatly Fruits, Jubails’ BEEAH team, Bahrain Philippine Cargo, Al Suwaidi, ACEC, Saipem Snamprogetti 1 & 2, Al Ittefaq Steel Product Company (ISPC), Arabian Point Eight Power (APEP) Company, Hyundai Al Majdouie, Extra 2, AMLAK, Dammam Shipyard, Saudi Diesel, Al Iman, Zamil Offshore., and Gabaswire Company.