JEDDAH: Finally, after the long wait it’s game on for the FBA (Filipino Basketball Association) 37th Season with Tamimi Petro Rabigh, Paninos and Durat Al Arous winning the opening games Friday at the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Sport Complex basketball court.

Tamimi of coach Antonio Ordonio easily was the one team to make an early impact, beating Sharbatly by 28 points 89-61 in the first game of a triplebill in the Inter-Company Category D (Pool 1).

Pagbilao scored 14 of his topscoring 18 points in the last two quarters, Villegas added 14 Medios had 13 points for Tamimi, which held Sharbatly to 10 points in each of the first two quarters while scoring 18 and 27 to build the foundation of the easy victory.

Maciag topscored with 17 points for Sharbatly, coached by Roman del Rosario, while Dinglasan tallied 11 points and Ali 10.

Pagbilao went on to grab Best Player of the game honors.

The traditional parade of teams highlighted the opening ceremony attended by chief guest Consul RJ Sumague who represented Consul General Imelda Panolong of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.

Mohamed Bayoumi, recipient of the Presidential Banaag Award and friend of the Filipino community, was among the VIP guests present and made the ceremonial toss of the ball. The first trophies to go up for grabs went to the Best Team in Uniform and Best Muse awardees. They are Sharbatly Fruits, ALJ-cdc, Musalli Gold and AVK for Best Team in Uniform and Cheesecake Factory, Warriors, ALJ-CDC and Uncle Majid for Best Muse.

FBA CEO and president Edgar Mendoza congratulated the 37 participating teams, the sponsors, the FBA executives and of course all the fans and followers of FBA for the successful launch of the 37th tournament of the prestigious and longest running basketball group in Jeddah.

Coach Erick Uhbehkoh’s Paninos squad drew steady firepower from the deadly trio of Best Player Razon (33 points), Ron Magat (20 points), and Mursi Akad (16) to down Sweet Amy 87-71 in Category A game.

The leading scorers at Team Amy, coached by Johnny Dizon, were Amparado (18 points), Christian Guimpatan (16 points) and Montejo 9 points..

In the nightcap, Durat Al-Arous used hot fourth quarter in a comeback 90-80 win over AVK in Category C.

Leading the Durat charge was Best Player Romero with 31 points, while Montejo and St. Anthony added 17 and 14 points. Charlie Tayam is the Durat Al Arous coach.

AVK had the trio of Vallejo, Buhano and Reyes leading the way on 23, 18 and 13 points.

The tournament is sponsored by Tim Hortons Café and Bake Shop, Fawri Money Transfer Services, Cebu Pacific , Manila Cuisine, and Kabalikat Civicom KSA Chapter.

To run for at least 3 months under the supervision of Commissioner Noel Miguel the tournament playing days are Thursdays and Fridays.

With Mendoza and Miguel in the FBA Organizing Committee are: Admin/PR Director Jerry P. Lagrimas, Field Operations Director Robert Jose, Finance Director Jinkee Mendoza, Finance Admin Asst. Yuan Bondoc, and committee members Willy “Baliwag” Cartagena, Mario delos Santos and Jessie Sales. Rodolfo “Boy” Cornejo and Paul Antiporda are the advisers, Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Security Force is in charge of the peace and security while JOG (Jeddah Officiating Group) handles the tournament officiating.