The Filipino Basketball Association will kick off its 27th tournament at its new venue, Sports Village (Jeddah Deaf Club) along Madinah Road corner Quraish Street here Friday. Dubbed as the Enjaz (Bank Albilad)-Western Union Basketball Tournament, the two and a half month long tournament is principally sponsored by Enjaz (the remittance services of Bank Albilad) and Wetern Union Money Transfer. Invited to grace the opening day are Sami Al-Raghi, Mohammad Al-Turki and Amanat Ali of Enjaz (the remittance services of Bank Albilad), Ameed Hamdan, of Western Union, officials of the Consulate General of the Philippines in Jeddah, prominent community leaders and representatives of participating and sponsoring companies. Other companies supporting the prestigious event are Samsung Electronics (UMG), Al-Hussaini Al-Yahya Investment Group, Royal Brunei, CDC Holdings-Quadrillon Sales Inc., headed by Elsie Chua, Samir Photographic Supplies-Kodak, Sky Freight Forwarders, Nivea, Ay Sarap Restaurant, El Paborito Filipino Foodstuff and Toppers Tailoring of Gil Manese, located at Stall #42 Samria Center near Sarawat 1. Twentyfive teams are taking part in the competition. Opening ceremony is set to begin with a parade at 10:00 A.M. It will be followed by the opening game between Saudi Oger Ltd., (Jeddah) headed by Mar Basilio and Al-Majal Servicemasters, led by Ken Bautista. The format of the tourney is for bona fide company players only to give better opportunity for these groups to enjoy the games and have more fun, said FBA president Gil Manese. Following is the list of participating teams: Bona fide Division A: Al-Majal Servicemaster, Saudi Archirodon (Shoaiba), Saudi Oger Ltd., (Jeddah), Saudi Binladen Group-RPD, and Sharbatly Corporation. Bona fide Division B: Alhamrani-Fuchs, CTS & SMP (Rabigh), Danube Hypermarket, Dr. Erfan Bagedo Hospital, Movenpick Al-Nawras Resort and Saudi Oger Ltd. (Rabigh). Bona fide Division C: Al-Muhaidib Trading & Contarcting Company, Fluor Arabia, Gulf Express (Al-Dabbagh), Habitat Hotel (Lipton Tea), Hanco Maintenance and Islamic Bank; Zahid Tractor Group: AD Terminators, CMD United A, CMD United B, CVD Globetrotters, PMD Reload and Rental Wizards. On the opening day, Enjaz and Western Union Money Transfer will distribute some gift items, while FBA management will raffle for free, one 21 inches TV Set for the lucky spectator. The FBA officers and staff are Gil Manese (president), Edgar Mendoza (vice president), Noel Miguiel (commissioner), Edgar Ainza (tournament director), Orlando Santelices (operations director), Paul Antiporda (advertising), Delfin Borja (staff) and Usman (Sonny) Esmail (adviser). Referees are Jeddah Officiating Group (JOG) headed by Danny Gulapa. Games are played only on Fridays from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. and only males are allowed to enter the gym and watch the games for free. __
