Jeddah - The much awaited 1^st Jollibee & 29^th  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 29^th season. During the program, Mendoza in his welcome address expressed his thanks and appreciation before a very huge crowd of basketball fans the overwhelming support of Jeddah basketball aficionados and the generosity of Jollibee for its exclusive sponsorship of the tournament. He also requested the full cooperation of all the players to keep the spirit of sportsmanship towards a peaceful and successful tournament.
 
Official representative of sponsoring company who graced the event was the Jollibee Balad branch manager, Alfred Ayo who represented Faisal Y. Bamhrez, the division manager of Jollibee, Mazen Zaki Munshi, marketing manager of Nesma Holding Co. Ltd. and Billy Junn Tabares, the marketing officer of Jollibee.
 
Alfred Ayo, official representative of Jollibee in his speech expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support of the community and to Jollibee of the Filipino community in Jeddah and praised the officials of FBA and its committee members headed by Edgar Mendoza for a very organized event..
 
A distinguished guest from the Philippine Consulate like Consul Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr. also graced the event to represent the Consul General Ezzedin H. Tago who was evidently present till he also tossed the ball prior to start the opening game. 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. Other friends from the media were also present like, Chito Manuel of Arab News, Bob Florendo of Saudi Gazette, Bong Concha of GMA Pinoy TV, PESOS group, GIAFP of Jimmy Geronimo and other officials and executives of participating teams and more than a thousand of avid basketball aficionados who witnessed the colorful and successful event.
 
The teams that paraded include 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 for free and valuable prizes raffled to all spectators like 42” LCD, notebook, wall clocks, caps, ballpens, t-shirts, desk clocks and free drinks.
 
Early game winners were team of Jollibee mentored by coach Arnold Atienza, when they beat the equally strong team of Centerpoint up headed by Erwin Carpena (86-78) in the opening game, while Sarco Shoaiba-A of coach John Villa & Willie Corpuz beat the defending champion AIC of coach Noli Albis in the final score of (83-68) and lastly, Sharbatly Corp. overpowered another defending champion team, BG Co. – Gulf Express of Gerry Carredo in a very exciting games at the score of (87-79).
 
Founded in 1996, FBA is the longest running basketball league in the western region if not the Kingdom. FBA is presently organized by an active community leader, Edgar Mendoza (president) with Abel Chavenia (commissioner), Noel Miguel (technical director), Danny Gulapa (deputy tech. director), Edgar Ainza (marketing director), Rudy Ruaya (operations director), Lita Chavenia (treasurer), Janno Ruaya (peace & security director), Paul Antiporda (adviser), Angel Garcia (announcer), Delfin Borja (head scoreboard operator), Mario de los Reyes and Arjay (committee members) and Jeddah Officiating Group (JOG).  For more information and inquiry, please call 0502346231 & 0567406853 or email at fbajeddah@gmail.com.

Results: Opening Day
Schedule Week 2