awaited 1st Jollibee & 29th FBA Basketball Tournament started with a big bang at the Saudi Hi-Tech compound last Friday. A colorful parade of all 25 participating teams and tournament officials headed by Edgar Mendoza (president) and Abel Chavenia (commissioner) marked the grand opening of FBA 29th season. Official representatives of sponsoring companies who graced the event were the Jollibee Balad Branch Manager Alfred Ayo who represented Faisal Y. Bamhrez, Division Manager of Jollibee, Mazen Zaki Munshi, Marketing Manager of Nesma Holding Co. Ltd. and Billy Junn Tabares, Marketing Officer of Jollibee. Alfred Ayo, in his speech, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support of the community to Jollibee and praised the officials of FBA and its committee members for organizing this event. A distinguished guest from the Philippine Consulate Consul Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr. also graced the event to represent the Consul General Ezzedin H. Tago. Other invited guests who graced the event were head of various active community groups led by Kasapi Chairman Boy Cornejo, Jauhari V. Usman, John Asperilla, Nilo Lucena, Rhic Briones, Ed Santos, Ken Bautista, Mohamed Bayoumi, Jess Cerbito, Cesar Quilinderino and Jet Gonzales. The teams that paraded included Arabian International Company (AIC), American Garden, BG Company-Gulf Express, Goody, Sarco Shoaiba-A, Saudi Oger, Sharbatly Corp.–Al-GBAA, Consolidated Can Manufacturing Co. (CCMC), Fikra Printing Press, Radisson Blu, Rosewood Corniche Hotel, Sarco-Jeddah, Sarco-Shoiaba-B, Saudi Hi-Tech, Zahid Tractor–Alsalam International Hospital, Centerpoint, Fitaihi, Fruit Ice Cream, Jeddah Kickers, Jollibee, New Breed AlShaya, Samir Group and Solid North. During the program, intermission numbers were rendered by Iya Velmonte, Vladi Alamo and a singing champion Jeanette Cerbito who added more colors to the event plus the group of KSA Knight Movers in their special dance number. Winners in the best muse category were the teams of Samir Group, AIC, Fitaihi and Goody. Adjudged best in uniforms were BG Company-Gulf Express, Sarco-Jeddah, Centerpoint and New Breed Alshaya. Jollibee gift items were also distributed and valuable prizes were raffled to all spectators like 42” LCD, notebook, wall clocks, caps, ballpens, t-shirts, desk clocks and free drinks. Early game winner was team of Jollibee, mentored by coach Arnold Atienza. It beat the equally strong team of Centerpoint, headed by Erwin Carpena, 86-78 in the opening game. Sarco Shoaiba-A of coach John Villa and Willie Corpuz beat defending champion AIC of coach Noli Albis 83-68 and Sharbatly Corp. overpowered another defending champion team, BG Co.–Gulf Express of Gerry Carredo, 87
