KSA - EPBL score two decades of basketball

DAMMAM (EPBL) - The Eastern Province Basketball League (EPBL) has come a long way in bringing joy and camaraderie to all basketball-loving fans in the Eastern Province.

This year, EPBL will celebrate its 20th year with the theme: "Working Together Towards Success". The first conference offering is dubbed as "Commissioner's Cup" and it will open on April 6 at 10 am in the Al-Ettifaq Gym here.

The Commissioner's Cup is expected to be the grandest and most colorful ceremony in EPBL history. It will include the turn-over of responsibilities to a new set of officers that will carry through EPBL in the coming years.

"For two decades since its foundation in 1987, EPBL has continuously brought entertainment to the Filipino community in the form of basketball tournaments held twice a year. It certainly attained its mission and vision plus it brought togetherness amongst overseas Filipino workers," Outgoing commissioner Gil Garcia said in a press statement.

According to Garcia, the league has become the benchmark for other basketball organizations that try to copy it. "This is because EPBL is the most prestigious organization that ever existed in the Eastern Province."

"A trophy won in any EPBL tournament is a prize any team can be proud of either in the highest category or the lowest." Dante Bulan of Al Tuwairqi team said. Al Tuwairqi is the defending champion in the inter-company bonafide division.

Rolly Hadloc, one of the avid followers of the league said, "EPBL became a household name among basketball players and teams. "Of the many tournaments I played with, playing in EPBL is really different. The level is way above the rest".

"Thanks to the unselfish works of the officers and members, EPBL has overcome all obstacles that came in its way; thus making it stronger and more committed to its purpose." Advisor Rashed Al Hatllan said in an overseas telephone interview.

There were 33 teams that gave intention to participate in this season-opening event. However, the league will eventually trim down to a maximum of 21 teams to give teams more playing time. The tournament is divided into four categories, to wit:

Premier League: After a one conference breather, the powerhouse National Pipe Company (NPC) of Dhahran confirmed their participation. They will be joined by defending champions Philippine Society of Safety Engineers, the senior team of Al Nahda Club and the star studded Phuket Restaurant.

Leading the NPC's charge are former Purefoods cager Jessie Cabanayan, ex-Beerman Arnold Calo and former MBA Pangasinan Waves Anthony Nabong.

Tapped to handle the NPC squad is the returning veteran coach Gil Rivera, who steered the EPBL All-Star to the title at the "Battle of Regional Champions" held in Jeddah in 2004. In the same year, Rivera also headed the team that represented Saudi Arabia in the second Bahrain-Philippines Basketball Goodwill Games held at Jufair Dome Bahrain where Sta. Lucia Realtors took top honors.

"We are looking forward to a great show going by the teams coming," the incoming commissioner, Ricky Piguing, said.

Inter-Company Rated: Jotun Paints, the Junior team of Al Nahda Club, COSMA, Arabian Consulting and Engineering Center and the multi-titled Saudi Ready Mix.

Inter-Company Non-Rated: Inter-company bonafide defending champion, Al Tuwairqi, Gentec, SINTEC, Jarir Bookstore, Al Falak, Al Majdouie, Airbase Hospital, Dammam Central Hospital Dragons, Saudi Paper, Al-Hoty, Panda Aziziyah, Saudi Techint, Al Bustan, JAL International, Saudi Oger and Rezayat Bulldogs will see action in this category.

Open Non-Rated: Arcan Vita, Rizal Pirates, Mazda, Tanajib General Contracting, Skyscrapers, Haier Rockets, Bigen, SAPMT Abqaiq, UMA Envoy, Ilocos Sniper and Phuket.

However, according to a reliable source, EPBL will most likely drop the premier league as one of the categories because of having difficulties in finding strong contenders that could challenge the formidable NPC team on the hard court.

"There are good players out there, but nobody is consolidating them and putting up a team," adds the source.

Interested parties may contact Ricky Piguing - 0509268990, Henry Halpern - 8723575, Edwin Caliboso - 0502144500, Gil Garcia - 0509142956 and Noriel Arevalo - 0562868494, Mar Pecho - 0506849035 and Oscar Paraiso - 0502181778.

By Romeo O. Navidad
FIBA Correspondent in Saudi Arabia