JEDDAH: The JBL opened its 2015 2nd PEAK Sodas Sports & Shoe Arena Shop Basketball Tournament last Friday at the Khalidia basketball court here in Jeddah.

Participating teams paraded in their resplendent uniforms during the opening ceremony graced by JBL President Mohammed Rasheed Suyat and JBL Tournament Director Donald Doloso presided.

Ahmad Peradilla of Jeddah Dawa Center started the ceremony with inspiring Islamic invocation while Ali Lumanog of Mandoubiyah Islamic Propagation Office led the oath of sportsmanship. Jon Abano Jr. of PEAK Sodas Sports & Shoe Arena Shop was the chief guest and thanks also to Arthur Montiero for providing 10 sneakers, 2 basketballs and 10 T-shirts as giveaways raffled off for the lucky spectators and participants. Wil Escanan of Deepvision Advertising Company also distributed giveaways to the ladies in the crowd. Mohammad Faris Diaz and Harun Sanchez gave inspirational Islamic sharing during prayer time.

The awards for the Best Team in Uniform went to Ikea (Ahmad Harris Penaranda), Knights (Coach Glenn) and Urban Design Group (Ariel Acedera) while the Best Mascot award winners were Knights (Densel Dolloso and Keila Santiago), UDG and Gensoul (Eliezer Jehan Silvestre).

In the first game, last tournament defending champion Khalidia Tambayz coached by Ronnie Carino showed they are still the team to beat as they defeated Leylati 103-61.

Khalidia Tambayz displayed their outside shooting in the whole game as Laylati missed important baskets. Garcia top-scores with 30 points for Khalidia Tambayz and was adjudged as the PEAK Sodas Sports best player of the game while Monico Hugo scored 24 points for Leylati.

This tournament is principally sponsored by PEAK Sodas Sports and Shoe Arena. The co-sponsors are Mandhoubiyah Islamic Propagation Office, Jeddah Dawa Center, Deepvision Advertising Company, Mousa Ignacio and Arab News.

In the 40 & Above division, Dessert Warriors of coach Nestor Capinpin beat RJW Jufalli Wednesday Group 99-94. Dessert Warrior played organized basketball in the final period to put away the pesky RJW Juffali Wednesday Group. Hermogenes firing triples in all angles and scored 32 points for Dessert Warriors and was adjudged as the JBL best player of the game while Jameel Khobre had 22 points for RJW Juffali Wednesday Group.

Gensoul of Coach Vin Harley Musngi defeated Urban Design Group 76-64. Both teams played well up to third quarter of the game. Gensoul started the final quarter with their running game as UDG started to lose steam and committed crucial errors. Lacson attacked the UDG defense and chipped in 27 points for Gensoul and was adjudged as the PEAK Sodas Sports best player of the game while Camartin contributed 27 points for Urban Design Group.

Games are played Thursdays (6:3p p.m.) and Fridays (5:30 p.m.).