Coming on the heels of its Friday Morning League, the OFBL 4th Conference opened its evening tournament recently to complete the launch of a busy schedule for the conference that could well extend to January next year.

The Evening Division opening at the Timeout Sports Academy gymnasium on Television Street., Ghulail District on the outskirts of Jeddah had more than 20 out of the total of 37 participating teams joining the traditional parade, a testament to the phenomenal growth of the Overseas Filipino Basketball League under the leadership of Chairman Boy Teves and Commissioner Rocky Gil.

Counting the 24 teams playing in the morning this conference has a combined record total of 61, the largest ever in the history of organized basketball in Jeddah, according to Gil.

The teams are to vie for the championships in five divisions namely Inter-Company Bonafide, Inter-Company Non-Rated, Inter-Company Reinforced-C, Inter-Commercial and 40 and above.

Teves and Gil presided the opening ceremony, highlighting their goals and objectives in promoting unity, friendship, sportsmanship and camaraderie among OFWs here in Jeddah through basketball as a recreational activity. Timeout owner Mohammad Bahrahim made the ceremonial toss of the ball.

Moreover, the OFBL continues its commitment to help OFWs in distress in the groups’ own special way, thus the collection of donations is still ongoing. Bong Concha, founder of Kaagapay, an OFW advocacy group, attended the tournament opening day and received the collected donations spearheaded by OFBL.

Winners in the opening games were IBN Sina 70 over NRF 69 and Hidada 56 over Naval Base 52.

Meanwhile, action continued in the Friday Morning Division with victories from teams of Red Tag and OBS, among others.

This league is sponsored by Jollibee, Art’s Cuisine, PPC and Al Zugbi Sports.