JEDDAH: Big-time volleyball hit the community sports scene last Friday with the start of the Makati Express Cargo-Sarawat Superstores 1st Kalayaan Volleyball Cup 2016 at the Trio Ranch & Country Club in Briman District here.

To run for five weekends, the tournament attracted teams from hospitals and community groups and organized as part of the 118th Philippine Independence Day celebrations.

Vice Consul Alexander Joseph Estomo attended the opening ceremony as chief guest on behalf of Consul General Imelda Panolong of the Philipppine Consulate General in Jeddah. Also present were VIP guests Marketing Specialist Zoriel Gaffud from Frendi, Jhun Abris, chairman of FAME; Alex Cinco Sales, OSN Pinoy executive, and Marina Ortiz, representative from Mang Inasal.

Opening day trophies were awarded for Best Team Representative , Mari Angeli S. Magbanua of Play Time; Best in Uniform, Dr. Suleiman Fakeeh Hospital; and Best Organized Team, Saudi German Hospital.

Four games were played Friday with Playtime scoring an opening day double.

Play Time’s men’s division team scored a straight sets 25-16, 25-9 victory over Saudi German Hospital in the second game, but was extended to a deciding third set before winning against Jeddah Blue Spikers 25-15, 23-25, 15-8 when it returned to the court for the last match of the day.

Erfan Bagedo Hospital brought down Saudi German Hospital 23-25, 25-15, 15-10 in the women’s division in the first game. NGHA-KAMC emerged straight away winner in the other women’s division match against Dr. Suleiman Fakeeh Hospital 25-20, 25-18.

The four Best Players of the game to receive PBA jersey courtesy of OSN were Tess Nacional (Dr. Erfan Bagedo Hospital), Erickson Dimalanta (Play Time), Gina Alanguilan (KAMC) and Emerson Semsem (Play Time). Sarawat raffle winners were Benilyn Valida (KAMC), Annabelle Salas (SGH), Emerson Semsem (Play Time), Bhel Rojo (SGH) and William Baula (SBS).

The tournament is organized by Dreamstar Productions for Sports under the leadership of Al Moran Bacleon and supported by major sponsors Makati Express Cargo and Sarawat Superstores and co-sponsors OSN Pinoy, Frendi, Fawri Remittance Services, Bubble Nation, and Manila’s Mang Inasal Restaurant, with support from Kabalikat Civicom through Chairman Alvin Salenga and Sammy Silvestre’s Kulay Philippine Photographers Community.

The 7 teams entered are: King Abdulaziz Medical City Hospital, Saudi German Hospital (2 teams), Dr. Sulaiman Fakeeh Hospital, Dr. Erfan Bagedo Hospital, Blue Spikers and Play Time.

The Kalayaan Volleyball Cup Committee would like to express its thanks and appreciation to Trio Ranch and Country Club Manager Antonio Peruzzi and Fawas Ahmad for their generous support to make the tournament opening a success.

Event Planner/Tournament Organizer Maki De Guzman heads the Organizing Committee that also include Finance Officer Joey Villanueva, Erwin Reyes, production and host; Jerry Lagrimas, technical adviser; Jettraw Alcala and Ernie Apolo, technical/logistic support; Harold Amper, referees and umpires in-charge, Edgar Zantua, linesmen in- charge, Program Coordinator Wilma Famorcan and table committee Michelle Angeles and Noreen Roxas.

Games today

5:30 p.m. – DSFH vs. DEBH (women’s division)

6:15 p.m. – JBS vs. SGH (men’s division)

7 p.m. – KAMC vs. SGH (women’s division)

7:45 p.m. – SGH vs. Play Time (men’s division)