Fujairah: The United Filipino Association in the Emirates (UFAE-Fujairah) launched the fourth UFAE Winter Basketball League 2007-08 at a jampacked Fujairah International Marina Club open court last Friday.
The UFAE-Fujairah President Thess Bautista, League chairman Guimo Gonzalez, vice-chairman Bien Alcantara and commissioner Rommel Antonio were present on the occasion.
"We look forward with pride and honour to a new winter league season, one that we know will strengthen the unity not only for the Filipinos but for the entire Fujairah community," said Gonzalez.
"But with the support and thrust of the entire UFAE family, participating teams and most importantly, the sponsors - Fujairah International Marina Club, Vopac Horizons, UAE Exchange and Olympic Shipping, we are confident that the league will soar to even greater heights to this 2007-2008 season," the chairman added.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony, in which 12 participating teams, namely Sarah Saloon, Mac Marine, Fujairah Sharks, Asteras, Port of Fujairah-Marine Dept., Vopak Horizons, Rock Wool Barako, Al Dana, Mega Saloon, AR-Roeya, Athena and Fujairah Surveyors - paraded in their colourful uniforms with their respective elegant muses in tow, was graced by the Director of Fujairah International Marina Club Major Ahmad Ebrahim Mohammad and ENOC Marketing Communications Manager Mike Ortega.
Bernardino best
The pre-tournament individual and team prizes, Best Muse and Best Team Uniform, was won by Jennifer Bernardino of Sarah Saloon team and Rock Wool Barako team, respectively.
Athena team lit the flames of the UFAE Winter Basketball league 2007-08 opener with a pulsating 67-65 win over Fujairah Surveyors while Sarah Saloon outplayed Fujairah Sharks with an impressive 88-60 victory.
Mario Darang scattered a game-high 22 points and Amado Mallari added 15 to lead the Athena team, who pulled away in the last minute of the game after squandering 38-23 lead at the half.
The tournament will run for three months and games will be played every Thursday & Friday from 6pm-10pm.
