JEDDAH: Basketball entertainment delivered in the way only brand FBA can springs back to life at the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Sport Complex court on Friday when the Filipino Basketball Association 37th Season opens with a grand ceremony at 4 p.m.

FBA CEO and president Edgar Mendoza has expressed his thanks and appreciation to all the participating teams and loyal supporters who kept the faith in the FBA notwithstanding the delay in the launch of the tournament.

Consul RJ Sumague of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah has been invited as chief guest on behalf of Consul General Imelda Panolong at the opening ceremony to be highlighted by parade of the 36 participating teams.

Among the VIP guests expected to grace the occasion are management team from Tim Hortons, the famous Canadian coffee brand, two representatives from Fawri and Mohamed Bayoumi, recipient of the Presidential Banaag Award and friend of the Filipino community.

Fawri is giving away a return Cebu Pacific air ticket to Manila. The giveaways for spectators also include caps and other freebies.

To run for at least 3 months under the supervision of Commissioner Noel Miguel the tournament playing days are Thursdays and Fridays.

With Mendoza and Miguel in the FBA Organizing Committee are: Admin/PR Director Jerry P. Lagrimas, Field Operations Director Robert Jose, Finance Director Jinkee Mendoza, Finance Admin Asst. Yuan Bondoc, and committee members Willy “Baliwag” Cartagena, Mario delos Santos and Jessie Sales. Rodolfo “Boy” Cornejo and Paul Antiporda are the advisers, Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Security Force is in charge of the peace and security while JOG (Jeddah Officiating Group) handles the tournament officiating.

Participating teams are as follows:

Inter-Company Category A - Playgrounds Ballers, Team Amy, Tres Combibo-KFAFH, Panino’s; Category B – Al Mabani, KIA, Nesma, Nexus; Category C – AVK, Avengers, Al Mabani 2 Dbarkads Pilipinas, Durat Al Arous, Ford-Al Jazirah, Hanco, Twitch Mobile; Category D (Pool 1) – ALJ-CDC, CODEC 3 Pol Ace, Al Shaya Lions, Fawri Moneygram, Nexus, Uncle Majid, Saudi Diyar, Takbo, Tamimi-Petro Rabigh, Uragons; Category D (Pool 2) AMI-Pioneer, Aramex, Cheesecake Factory, Musally Gold, Sharbatly Fruits, SITML, UDH, Warriors and UMA