JEDDAH: With 49-strong teams in the fold, another blockbuster will be in the works for 2016 edition of the Modon Basketball Tournament that begins Friday with a grand opening ceremony at the Modon Industrial Plaza basketball court on the outskirts of Jeddah.

The opening day program starts at 5:30 p.m. to be highlighted by the traditional parade of teams.

Vice Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah has been invited as chief guest during the opening ceremony. Other VIP guests expected to attend the tournament launch are: Director Saud Tabakh, Hitham Abou Mansour and Fahad Al Jihani, all of Modon; Basahm Industrial Co. Ltd. Manager Haroon Saleh, Industrial City Dawah Office’s Manager Mansour Al Kawther and Ali Atta, and Mohamed Bayoumi, consultant-adviser of the organizing Industrial Sports Association, friend of the Filipino community and recipient of the Presidential Banaag Award.

Perfetto Pasta (Basamh Industrial Co. Ltd.) is the major sponsor of the tournament with playing days Thursday and Friday starting at 6 p.m. and game officials from the Industrial Referees Officiating Group (IROG).

The league divisions are: Inter-Company Bonafide ( A, B, C), Inter-Company Reinforced Weak (A,B), Strong Division and Senior Division.

To run for about five months the league enjoys special support from Industrial City Dawah Office, Enjaz Banking Services, Hempel Paints, Pablo Nesperos, Al Haddaf Sportswear, Combibo Catering, Caravan Advertising and Arab News.

President Mansour Eric Abrantes heads the ISA Committee that will run the event. Backing up Abrantes in the committee are Commissioner Rey Jordan Lofamia, Treasurer Egay Magnaye, Secretary Alot Villafuerte, Public Relations Officers Goody Viagedor/Pablo Nesperos and committee members Phip Estacio,Ramon Arches, Marlon Labasan, Dennis Bulactial, Jun Sunido, Abe De Guzman, Joel Abrantes, Eddie Boy and Toto Pamplona.

List of participating teams:

1. Al Hurafi For Advance 2. Almarai 3. Arabian Chemical Co. 4. Attieh Steel

5. Salem Husni (Al Bayt Decor) 6. BRC Steel 7. Afia 8. Bison Energy Drink

9. Arabian Gulf Maid 10. FMG 11. Delta Water 12. Naqel Express 13. Saudi Amanah 14. Caravan 15. Green Vision 16. Americana 17. Luna Milk 18. Saudi Telecom 19. Jeddah Cable 20. PSI 21. Fuji Elevator 22. Ulker 23. Corinthian 24. Gilas Surigao 25. Hempel Paints 26. Sanaiya Buddy 27. Sadafco 28. Firnazz 29. Rani 30. Saja Pharma 31. Aquafina 32. King Fahad Hospital 33. Ideal Warrior

34. Sleep High 35. Samahang Ilocano 36. Sanaiya Best 37. R – Printing 38. Aramex 39. A-Nengs 40. Wasalak 41. Gensoul 42. Butler 43. Combibo 44. National Ref 45. Pepsi 46. Perfetto-1 47. Perfetto-2 48. Sharqawi 49. Almira