With 18 teams in the fold, the Safari Basketball Association (SBA) at King Abdulaziz International Airport launches its Basketballers 2012 SBA Invitational Basketball Tournament today.

Consul Leo Tito L. Ausan Jr. and Labor Attache Alejandro A. Padaen of the Philippine Cnsulate in Jeddah are expected to attend as the chief guests during the opening ceremony.

To run until Nov. 23, the tournament to be played Thursdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. will have as venue the newly refurbished basketball court of Safari New Camp (SNC), King Abdulaziz International Airport near the famous weekend resort of Mersal Village, Makkah Road on the outskirts of Jeddah.

Saudi Industrial Projects Company (SIPCO), the sole distributor of Pepsi Cola in the Kingdom, is the tournament sponsor.

The teams entered from Jeddah and nearby areas are as follows: JLSF, GGSI, GACA — ANS, MASCO, High Speed Rail, Al-Shatei, Joker, V-Kool, Saudi Electric, SBG Network, SBG Carsana, Saud Group, METAFCO, SAJCO, Mersal Village, Al-Majal Servicemaster G4S, Bernardo Group, and Batangas Brotherhood.

Master Ernesto “Nestor” Cuizon Suliva is the SBA founder-chairman-commissioner. Helping Suliv run the show are Technical Director-Team Coordinator Noel V. Reyes and adviser Rey “Amarz” Amarille.

Suliva stressed players of all participating teams must undergo a thorough medical checkup before allowing them to participate. He said that participants who are not actually playing should stay on the bleachers outside the court area. Only both team members and technical committee officials are the only persons allowed inside the court. He also emphasized that all the team coaches and representatives are the only persons duly responsible for the conduct and discipline of their players.

For further details, contact Suliva at 0561545895, Reyes at 0569566276 or Amarille at 0568627922.