After the record breaking championship match between Samco-Marogong and its archrival Shadow Lounge in the last season of FBA, the rival teams meet again today for the first round elimination in the FBA 34th season at Sheraton Jeddah hotel sports complex at 7:30 p.m.

Defending champion Samco-Marogong is led by its star Boyet Bautista who will face his counterpart Roby David of Shadow Lounge in an early meeting of title favorites in the Open Rated Division in this 1st Nokia Asha-34th FBA basketball tournament where the games start 4:30 p.m. at weekends.

Last weekend games were very exciting with defending champion Nesma of coach Ricky Pangan and Louie dela Cruz falling in upset by Takbo team of coach Levy and Alain Ng. The scoreline was 73-66. Nemitz Dangao with 21 points was adjudged best player of the game while Castillo had 24 points for Nesma.

In another exciting game, Friendster of coach Alain Ng and assistant Amang Catador beat Faisal Park of coach Saleh Idris. The match was intense and Christian Guimpatan named best player of the game with 21 points.

Defending champion Movenpick Resort AlNawras of veteran coach Gary Santos defeated Steak House Blackrockers of coach A. Lacanilao and team manager Jeorge Dela Rosa in a lopsided game 73-57. Osorio of Movenpick was the best player of the game while Quires was the top man for Blackrockers.

Elsewhere, Al-Hamrani (RBF) of coach Robert Jose beat Al-Bahrawi Jeddah Warriors 83-79. Mercado was best player of the game with 17 points while Payawan got 33 points for Jeddah Warriors. Setra of coach Mar Navarro crushed Saudi Amana of coach Sony Trinidad 70-44. Best Player Jef Galzote scored 17 points while Nuguid had 13 points for Amana.

Hanco of coach Jess Manlapaz and team manager Edgar Ainza overpowered Fakeeh Hospital of coach Reinhart 85-66. Carol Guantia was the best player of the game with 17 points while Gabo scored 16 points for Fakeeh. Park Hyatt Jeddah hotel of coach Warlack and team manager Mohamed Bardai beat Subway-Bader AlBahiti of coach Renz in overtime 84-76.

New Breed-Swag of coach Chris Contreras defeated Ford Motorcraft of coach Edmond Rafanan and Jaime Bravo 85-59. Yumena was best player of the game with 22 points with Mendoza 15 points and JR 11 points. IPA Marogong of coach Arnel Fernando dominated the game against Tetra Pak of Nelson Sombrero at the final score of 92-64. Cervantes was best player of the game with 18 points while Ombrog and Collado each had 18 for Tetra Pak.

This tournament is principally sponsored by Nokia Asha smartphones through Paul Nehme, Nokia Asha marketing manager in KSA & Yemen, the ever supportive Toya of Pinehill Arabia Food Limited of Tayyab Ali Butt, marketing assistant, the House of Donuts (Nassier Group) of. Samir Nassier, the Palson Household Appliances through Issa Samhan, sales manager, the Ali Café of Rafael Villa Castin, brand manager and the management of Sheraton Jeddah Hotel.