Jeddah: The 20 strong teams vying for the semifinal slots in the ongoing 28^th FBA basketball tournament are now in their last leg of the elimination round. Early qualifiers are Arabian International Company (AIC) in the Bona fide Group A of coach Noli Albis and team manager Emad Zagzoog (4-1), Hanco Maintenance-B of veteran coach Jess Manlapaz and manager Edgar Ainza (5-1) and Al-Shuman of Warren and Alex Tinio (5-1) for the Bona fide Group B.

Other sure contenders for the semifinal round are the strong teams from the Inter-Commercial Open C Division led by Samir Group-Kodak of coach Gary Santos and manager George Feliciano (5-0), Al-Salam Int’l. Hospital of Sheikh Abdullah Baasonbol and coach Eric de Castro (3-2), Solid North of coach Art Oliva and manager Don Sindayen (3-2) and the Dabarkads team of coach Roy dela Cruz and Ruen Villegas (2-3).

Last weekend games were very exciting when undefeated Hanco Maintenance-B downed by Al-Tamayuz Sitteen of playing coach Gerry Ygrubay in an overtime period, 75-72. “We are very happy and excited because this is our first time to win and the fact that we beat the undefeated Hanco in our division”, Ygrubay said when interviewed. Top scorers for Tamayuz were Canobas 24, Sierras 14 and Arcedas 13 points while Catador 24, Alemios 18 and Manasala 13 for Hanco.

Sharbatly Corp. team of team manager Alex Torremania coach Roman del Rosario won for the first time against equally strong team of Toyota-ALJ of head coach Jun Avelino and Benjo Cezar 68-61. Highest pointers for Sharbatly were del Rosario 19, Carrido 14, Tacuboy 12 and Laborte 9 while for Toyota were Taguba 21, Gadingan 10, and Al-Tawill and Sofyane with both 8 points.

Samir Group-Kodak of the Open C strong division is the only team remained undefeated in the league (5-0). Their last game against Dabarkads team was a breathtaking one when Dabarkads dominated the game from first to third quarters but collapsed in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter when Samir squad applied their strong man to man defense led by David, Cruz and Capugan who also made their consecutive shots to overrule Dabarkads, 86-81. Top scorers for Samir were Capugan 19, David 17, Magpoc 16 and Cruz 12 while for Dabarkads were Melendez 30, Quijano 21 and Martin 9.

Other games results:

Jeddah Kickers 87 – Nillo 24, Tagapuen 23, Luriz 11 and both Villegas and Rivera 8 beat Alsalam Hospital 75 – Cartagena 39, Adji 20 and Garcia 5.

Arabian Int’l. Company (AIC) 66 – Amir 21, Rosas 14, Bison 11 and Oliva 5 beat Hanco Maintenance A 59 – Estrada 21, Jacob 11, Baluyot 11 and Signo 5.

Sarco-Shoaiba 75 – Macuroy 28, Romero 16, Diaz 8 and Bucud 6 beat Petro-Rabigh 72 – Abatayo 16, Abbas 13, Solomon 6 and both Calderon and Ocampo 6 points.

Solid North 97 – Tobeo 28, Viscayno 24, Montemayor 12, Sablan 11 and Sindayen 10 beat KFAFH-Shawly 80 – Lucas 24, Garcia 18, Cruel 13, Lopez and Apostol with 9 points.

Al-Shuman 85 – Zapanta 26, Roy 19, Arjay 18 and Alex Tinio 10 beat New Breed Al-Shaya 79 – Mendoza 30, Arzaga 18, Itzuinas 14 and Cuaresma 13.

The Filipino Basketball Association headed by Edgar Mendoza (president), Abel Chavenia (commissioner), Noel Miguel (technical director), Edgar Ainza (tournament director) and members of the committee Angel Garcia, Delfin Borja, Arjay, Tony, Mario delos Santos, the Ruaya brothers (Janno & Rudy) and JOG would like to thanks the continuous support of all participating teams and the generous sponsorship of ABS-CBN TFC, Royal Brunei Airlines, Lapaz Batchoy, Lapaz Bakeshop and Grocery, BSX by Giordano Fashions, Ay Sarap Restaurant, The Manhattan Fish Market, Ruby Tuesday, Bison Energy Drink, Sky Freight Forwarders, Makati Products, American Garden, Gano Excel, Nivea & Dabur Products, Samir Group, Kizz-me Energy Drink, Dulux Paint, D’Jedd Carl Mobile Sound Mix, Sportsworld Tailoring and PESOS group.

According to Mendoza, the 28^th FBA will set their final games on the 2^nd week of October followed by the awarding ceremony and the 29^th season is tentatively set to open on November 2009.

FBA is still accepting team who wants to join the Friday Morning Tournament that is set to start in October. For inquiry and added info please contact Abel Chavenia 0567406853 or 0502346231 or you may send your email at fbajeddah@gmail.com.