KSA - Airbase Jet, Al Falak, IPSA-PTA wins in EPBL Unity Cup opener

DAMMAM (EPBL) - The second conference of the twentieth anniversary of Eastern Province Basketball League (EPBL), dubbed as "Unity Cup", kicked off at the Al Ettifaq club in this city.

The crowd at the jampacked event witnessed another vibrant basketball opening celebration.

Twenty-eight teams participated in the tournament sponsored by Al Misehal Group and Isam Kabbani and Partners. The event was also supported by Hoshan Office Automation, Phuket Restaurant and McDonalds.

During the opening ceremony, Labor Attache David Des Dicang praised the organizing committee for their enthusiasm en route to strengthening camaraderie and unity among OFWs.

Dicang announced that POLO-OWWA in the Eastern Region is organizing a sports festival and encouraged the Filipino community to take part in the said event.

The most dramatic part of the conference opening was when the gym abruptly turned dark and only the beam of light from a projector illuminated a white wall in the gym. After a few seconds the emcee, Bong Buela, cried "Ladies and gentlemen live from Corniche Al Khobar the EPBL color." The illuminated white wall became a giant screen and showed Jerry Gaza of Sintec team carrying the EPBL flag and running on the seaside of Corniche Al Khobar. The crowd watched the live feed and after a few minutes, Gaza entered the gym and was met with rousing applause by the crowd.

Commissioner Ricky Piguing thanked all participating teams, followers and sponsors for their continued support for the league and awarded trophies to parade winners. Tamimi squad got the highest award -- Best Managed Team; Best Uniform trophy was awarded to the Armed Forces Hospital King Abdulaziz Airbase (AFH-KAAB) while Miss Anne Charizyll de Lara of Saudi Ready Mix was crowned as Miss EPBL 2007 Second Conference.

"EPBL is committed to continue providing quality sports entertainment in the region. We are here to help build corporate image to all participating teams and sponsors for a mutually rewarding undertaking," stressed the Commissioner.

In the opening game, the AFH-KAAB, drawing premium performances from Emerson Carbonel, Mark Bulatao and Eric Torres, cruised to an easy 98-70 victory over Sintec-Sogec in the Inter-Company Non Rated division.

Airbase Jet poured everything it got from the onset and blasted Sintec-Sogec to open their second conference campaign.

Carbonel led the Airbase with 32 points. Bulatao and Torres chipped in 14 points apiece while John Reynoso and Danilo Falcone added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

In another game, defending Inter-Company champion Al Falak defeated newcomer Al Qahtani Fisk, 84-75, while IPSA-PTA spanked NESMA team with 85-72 win in the Non Rated Open Division.

The complete roster of participating teams are: Al-Zahrani, Saudi Ready Mix, Zamil Steel, Senddex Express, Armed Forces Hospital King Abdulaziz Airbase, AGID Consultants, Al Hoty Group, Al Tuwairqi Group, SINTEC, Al Falak, Al Majdouie, Al Qahtani Fisk, PI Consult, Radicon Gulf Consult, DAR Al Riyadh, Carlton Lounge, Arcan Vita, Mercury (formerly Mazda), IPSA-PTA, Dammam Arthers, Tamimi Company, Ilocos Snipers, Nesma, DCH Dragons.

Gerald Mendoza of the Basketball Association of the Philippines is the Head of the officiating referees for EPBL.

By Romeo O. Navidad
FIBA Correspondent in Saudi Arabia