After almost three months of thrilling basketball games, three giant teams – Samir Group-Kodak, AIC, New Breed Alshaya – emerged champions in their respective groups at the recently concluded 28th FBA Basketball Tournament at the Saudi Hi-Tech compound here. Consul Lito Leo Ausan Jr. of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah was the guest of honor on behalf of Consul General Ezzedin H. Tago. He led the distribution of awards to the following: Bona fide A champion AIC-Arabian International Co., 1st runner-up Sarco-Shoaiba, 2nd runner- up Hanco Maintenance and 3rd runner-up Toyota-ALJ, Bona fide B champion New Breed-Al-Shaya, 1st runner-up Al-Shuman, 2nd runner-up Kaki Alum and Glass Factory, 3rd runner-up Hanco Maintenance B, Inter-Commercial Open C Division champion Samir Group-Kodak, 1st runner- up Al-Salam International Hospital, 2nd runner-up Dabarkads, and 3rd runner-up Solid North. Other special guests and sponsors who graced the event were Lowell Plameras, Ronald Mangua, Mohammed Bayoumi, Vic Aguila, Boy Cornejo, Jauhari V. Usman, Hamza of Hi-Tech, Wenfred Castolome and Ramil Vasquez. Individual awardees: Bona fide Group A: MVP – Arnain Amir, best guards – Arnain Amir and Brando Bison, best center - Dario Fajardo, best forwards - Tolentino and Diaz, best coach - Noli Albis, best manager – Abu Salek and Emad Zagzoog. Bona fide Group B: MVP – Lawrence Mendoza, best guards – Ruel Itzuinas and Jay-R Zapanta, best center – Lawrence Mendoza, best forwards – Joseph Cuaresma and Arjay Fernandez, best coach – Chris Contreras, best manager – Roy Cortez. Inter-Commercial Open C Division: MVP – Jeffrey Capugan, best guards – Jeffrey Galzote and Jeffrey Capugan, best center - Abdulaziz “Jojo” Indal, best forwards – Eric Cartagena and Jay-R Sendon, best coach – Gary Santos, best manager - George Feliciano. Most disciplined players: Raffy David and Marlon Antonio, sportsmanship awards - Willy Corpuz, Gregorio Abud, Henry Cayetano, Mark Naranjo, Jay-R Salalila, Eric de Castro, Benjo Cezar, Gilbert Borquin, Don Sindayen, Roy dela Cruz, Alex Solero, Rainer Panlilio, Gerry Ygrubay, Libby Bello, Hani “Jun” Apostol, Ruen Villegas, Warren Tinio and Jess Manlapaz. Individual highest scorer awards – Jeffrey Reyes and Cocoy Gonzales). FBA president Edgar Mendoza, Commissioner Abel Chavenia and Technical Director Noel Miguel expressed their thanks and appreciation to their supporters and sponsors of the event led by ABS-CBN TFC, Royal Brunei Airlines, La Paz Batchoy Restaurant, La Paz Bakeshop & Grocery, BSX Giordano, Ay Sarap Restaurant, Manhattan Fish Market, Ruby Tuesday, Bison Energy Drink, Skyfreight Forwarders, Makati Products and American Garden, Natasha Products, Nivea and Dabur Products, Samir Group, D'Jedd Carl Mobile Sound, the officers of PESOS group and the special sponsorship of Western Union Money Transfer during the finals and the awarding ceremony headed by Lowell Plameras. The next tournament of FBA, the 29th cagefest, will be held in November. Interested teams may contact Edgar Mendoza (0502346231), Abel Chavenia (0567406853) and Noel Miguel (0502537479) or email at HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected]. __
