Basketball is in the DNA of Filipinos. It is their national pastime and No1 sport and it is safe to say that in the UAE, basketball is dominated by the huge Filipino community.
Among the numerous Filipino basketball teams playing in various leagues across the UAE, McFearin Tailoring has cut its mark as one of the most successful.
The club is owned by McFearin Sportswear Tailoring LLC established in November 2013 but the basketball team’s history dates back to 2012 when they were known as Gulf Craft.
As a new team in 2012, they made their mark on the UAE basketball circuit by winning back-to-back titles in the Pinoy Big Brother Basketball League, beating former champions Trojans and Western Union.
Prior to that success, they captured two championship trophies in Ajman and added another cup from United Pilipinas Basketball League in Dubai.
They had a new team owner last year but the team manager (Ramon Diaz) and the players remained the same and they won both the cups from APBL and the Kabayan Basketball Association.
Two successive championship trophies from Dubai Community Basketball League’s Max’s Restaurant Cup and Chery-Al Habtoor Motors Cup were also added, while they were also a final contender in the 2DL Battle of the Champions League.
Team owner Rayan Bernardo said the success of McFearin Tailoring can be attributed to the positive virtues learned in basketball.
“We have team work, ambition, and we engage in healthy competition,” Bernardo said. “We are like a family. We have a strong fan base and after the game, win or lose, we hang out and have fun.”
Player-coach Alex Ortiz said their achievements did not happen overnight but were born out of hard work and dedication to be one of the best teams.
“We’re a talented team but more importantly we developed a system that brings out the best in every one of us,” he said.
This system, explained Ortiz, is “finding the right mix of players inside the court and can only be perfected if the team is engaged in rigorous practise and training.
“All players have their off games and sometimes they are hot. Once a player is hot, make sure you give him the ball to score.”
McFearin Tailoring has two teams – one playing in the Open Category and the other playing in Junior or Class D Division.
Leading the McFearin’s Team A is 22-year old Filipino-Emirati player Khalifa Khalil Ibrahim Mohd Salem, who is also a member of the UAE national team.
He is also a player of Al Shabab Club and used to play for Al Ahli Club.
McFearin Tailoring also boast the deadly duo of Archie Cruz and Paul Buenafe who can shoot the lights out beyond the three-point arc.
Another vital cog is Rommel Caberte, who is a monster rebounder with deadly perimeter shooting.
McFearin’s second unit composed of Cris Casala, Razon, Melvin Faustino, Mike Pizarro, Harvey Depra and Dave Lora are equally strong.
What: McFearin Tailoring basketball team
Founded: November 2013
Practice: Weeknights at Satwa Park open basketball court; Fridays they participate in various tournaments in Dubai
Contact: Rayan Bernardo 050 875 3808 / 04-352 9372 (email: mcfearin14@ gmail.com) Website: www.mcfearintailoring.com
