Big time basketball entertainment returned at the weekend before a packed crowd at the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel court during the grand opening of the Microsoft Lumia & 36th FBA Basketball Tournament at the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel court.

Western Union, Durrat Al-Aruz and Saudi German Hospital drew first blood to post initial victories Friday in their respective divisions in the tournament that attracted a big field of 56 teams spread over seven competitive divisions. Preceding the opening triplebill was the usual opening ceremony highlighted by the parade of teams.

Western Union eked out a close 81-80 victory over Egypt Selection that was without man mountain center Kaydar.

Christian Guimpatan led Western Union with 16 points and went to grab Best Player of the game honors. Zyad Pascual added 13 points, while Matias and Mark Lagria each had 12 points.

Waleed Katab’s Egypt side had the youthful Muhannad Amir leading the way with 23 points. The hardworking Hamdy made 15 points, Nour tallied 13 and Moatz 11 points.

Along with the Avengers and Lebanese Community Basketball Western Union and Egypt Selection make up the four teams vying in the Inter-Commercial Open Rated Division with a double round robin format. The two teams with the best record after two rounds go straight to a best-of-three series for the championship while the last two teams play a knockout game for third place.

In a clash of debuting teams in Inter-Hotel & Restaurant Division Durrat Al-Aruz edged out Cabalen Restaurant 86-84 with Domingo and Coronado the leading scorers on 28 and 16 points.

For Cabalen Dula and Figueroa scored 20 and 19 points, Magpayo added 14 and Garzola had 8 points.

In Inter-Company Group C with the most number of teams at 11, Saudi German Hospital hammered out a 71-64 win over Maaden (MGBM) in the third game.

The trio of Galanga, Gontalilib and Domingo scored in double figures at 16, 14 and 11 points for SGH with Dela Cruz and Meru each scoring 8 points.

Lee led the Maaden’s losing effort on 20 points. Versoza had 16 points and Mously 8 points.

The first trophies to be distributed were for the Best Team in Uniform and Best Muse won by SGH, Maaden, McVities, Westside Beesline and Wafu-Wafu.

During the opening ceremony, a taped message from FBA President Edgar Mendoza was shown on a giant screen. He thanked the teams, sponsors and supporters for their support of the FBA as the most prestigious and longest running basketball league in Jeddah continues its mandate to serve the Filipino community by providing a platform for a wholesome sport activity. Jaja Singson, a nurse by profession, rendered song numbers wowing the crowd with her soothing voice.

Microsoft Lumia is the major sponsor of the tournament organized in partnership with Team-Up Event Management headed by Mustafa Al-Saady and Rashad Barmada.

The tournament co-sponsors are House of Donuts (Nassier Group) of Samir Nassier, Halalat of Nawaf Tabah (PR Manager) and Centrepoint-Lifestyle & Parfumes Charriol Paris of Deo Francis Vistal and Elealo Janiola.

With Mendoza and Commissioner Noel Miguel in the FBA are Jonathan Canda (technical director), George Feliciano (Admin Director), Russel “Bugz” Ferrer (PR Director), Robert Jose (Operations Director), Jason Manacsa (Finance Director), Jinkee Mendoza (Finance Admin Secretary). Other committee members are Willy Cartagena, Mario delos Santos, Jessie Sales, Mohamed Hani Jamalil of Sheraton Security Force and JOG for the officiating.