JEDDAH: The 7th season of the Palaruang Bayan sa Jeddah basketball tournament kicked off last Thursday with host team Faisal Zahid Park carrying the colors of KSA Celtics beating Tusdeer Titans 74-62 in the only game played at Faisal Zahid Sports Complex basketball court here.

A simple opening ceremony highlighted by the traditional parade of teams preceded the day’s action. Mazen Bin Ali Suleiman, manager of Faisal Zahid Sports Complex, made the ceremonial toss of the ball to signal the start of the competition.

Twenty-four teams are entered in different categories in this single round robin Friday morning league where 3 games are scheduled each playing day from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Seven teams each make up the Category A (Strong) and Category B (Weak) with a further five each in 5-6 below and 40-above division.

Voltaire Hugo is the chairman of the organizing Pinoy Basketball Association with Arnel Dorado as commissioner. Western Union-Enjaz is the tournament sponsor.

Mahr and Ahmad led the Celtics with 29 and 21 points respectively. Mahmad and Abdallah each added 8 points.

For the Titans, Madmad Martinez top-scored with 20 points, Zaragosa tallied 10 while Flores and Cerezo each contributed 9 points.

Celtics and Titans are bracketed in Category A.