JEDDAH: After more than three months of action and thrilling basketball games, three giant teams from prestigious companies emerged champions in their respective groups at the recently concluded 30th FBA Basketball Tournament at Saudi Hi-Tech compound here. The brilliant team members of Symone, headed by team manager George Feliciano and coach Arnold Atienza under Inter-Commercial Strong Division, won convincingly over the equally strong team of Pampanga Dragons, represented by veteran coach Gary Santos, at 108-102. Canada Timeless-KFAFH of Kamal M. Shawaqfeh, Albert Vicare and of Marie Louise Swanepoel of the Bona fide Group A won in a breathtaking game after an overtime against Lexus team of Rowaid Al-Sawaf, Mazin Jameel and Jerry Lagrimas, 125-114. Danube team of coach Ramil Martin and Roy dela Cruz and manager Dennis Perales of Bona fide Group B upset ME-Mega of team manager Basil Jamjoom and Peter Roa in the final, 115-101. The list of all awardees: Inter-Commercial Strong Division: Champion team – Symone, 1st runner-up – Pampanga Dragons, 2nd runner-up – Solid North, 3rd runner-up – Tetra Pak, best guards – Jonell Cruz and Glen Manalili, best forwards – Charlemagne “Jay” Liam, Jr. and Adrian Magat, best center – Jay Piedra, best coach – Arnold Atienza, best manager – George Feliciano and MVP – Charlemagne “Jay” Liam, Jr.. Inter-Company Bona fide Group A: Champion – Canada Timeless-KFAFH, 1st runner-up – Lexus, 2nd runner-up – Al-Shaya, 3rd runner-up – Almajal G4S, best guards – Charlemagne “Jay” Liam, Jr. and Geremy Junsay, best forwards – Anthony Payawan and Ramon dela Cruz, best center – Fadi Al-Tawil, best coach – Albert Vicare, best manager – Marie Louise Swanepoel and MVP – Charlemagne “Jay” Liam, Jr.. Inter-Company Bona fide Group B: Champion – Danube, 1st runner-up – ME-Mega, 2nd runner-up – MOHAP, 3rd runner-up – Al-Tamayuz Co., best guards – EJ Destreza and Efren Fuentes, best forwards – Simon Asda and Elmer Geniza, best center – Vic Mabutol, best coach – Ramil Martin and Roy dela Cruz, best manager – Dennis Perales and MVP – EJ Destreza. Individual special awards: Sportsmanship awards – Rayman Dollentas, Paul Taguba and Lance Macmood, most popular player – Jhonn Paul Rivera and most promising player – Leo dela Cruz. The awarding ceremony and distribution of prizes were assisted by representative of sponsoring companies and group of prominent community leaders headed by Kasapi Congress Chairman Boy Cornejo and Corly Obtinalla, Lowell Plameras (Western Union), Danny Abenes (Sky Freight), Rizwan Ul-Hasan and Abdulqader Javeed (Royal Brunei). FBA president Edgar Mendoza and Commissioner Abel Chavenia expressed their thanks and appreciation to the sponsors of the event led by Western Union Money Transfer, Jollibee, Royal Brunei Airlines, Dabur, Pears, Supermax, Ay-Sarap Restaurant, BSX, Selecta Ice Cream, Makati Products, Sky Freight Forwarders, Bison Energy Drink, Argo Navis, Fruit in Ice Cream (FIC), Jeddah Officiating Group (JOG) and the PESOS group. The next FBA tournament (31st season) is tentatively scheduled for mid of May and is open for the following divisions: Inter-Company Bona fide A&B, Inter-Hotel & Hospital, Open Non-Rated, Open Rated and Inter-Philippine School division. Those interested may register with Edgar Mendoza (05023462310) or Abel Chavenia (0567406853) or email at [email protected]. __
