Ten out of 23 participating teams emerged as sure early qualifiers in the ongoing 1st Jollibee-29th FBA Basketball Tournament which is organized by the Filipino Basketball Association (FBA). The early qualifiers for the semifinals are Sharbatly Corporation, American Garden, Saudi Oger and Jeddah Fox for the bona fide Group A. For the Inter-Commercial Open C (Ltd.) Strong Division, top of the list is Samir Group followed by Jollibee, Solid North and New Breed-Alshaya teams while for the bona fide Group B, Rosewood Corniche Hotel and Sarco-Jeddah already secured their slots in the semis. Other teams still hoping to be included in the magic four under bona fide Group B are Saudi Hi-Tech, Al-Gabaa, CCMC and Radisson Blu Hotel. Jeddah Kickers of Gilbert Banal beat Fruit Ice Cream (FIC) team of Ian Jaramel, 106-94. BG Co.-Gulf Express of coach Jerry Carredo suffered another defeat by losing to Barangay AIC of coach Noli Albis, 87-81. Saudi Oger of playing coach Zapanta defeated Jeddah Fox 78-70. Jollibee team of coach Arnold Atienza recorded another win when it beat Fitaihi team of Romeo Dilla and coach Gerry Reyes in a exiting game, 75-71. Radisson Blu Hotel of coach Danny Atubang and Joseph Austria lost to Saudi Hi-Tech team of Jojo Ruaya in a seesaw battle, 68-66. CCMC team of Jonathan Santos won against Fikra Printing Press of Jun Lico in a lopsided game, 90-71. Samir Group of coach Gary Santos and manager George Feliciano won its sixth straight game by beating another strong team Solid North of coach Art Oliva and manager Corly Obtinalla, 92-77. In a breathtaking game, New Breed Al-Shaya of coach Chris Contreras defeated an equally strong Alsalam Int'l. Hospital team of coach Eric de Castro and manager Abdullah Baasombol by a hairline margin, 82-80. In another lopsided game, Rosewood Corniche Hotel recorded its sixth straight win by beating Zahid Tractor of Dodie Becinas, 125-79. This basketball tournament is exclusively sponsored by Jollibee under Nesma Holding Company Ltd. through the cooperation of Mazen Zaki Munshi (marketing manager), Faisal Y. Bamhrez (division manager) and Billy Junn Tabares (marketing officer). Games are being played every Thursday and Friday from 5:00 P.M. to 11:30 P.M. __
