Going Out: Gear up for court battles at Jazzville Basketball League

Jose Maria Santos 08:20 17/12/2015
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  • Up for it: Bisaya Tanan (maroon) are among the favourites to grab the Class D division (1) honours in the JBL.

    Local basketball aficionados are sure to cap the year with a bang as Jazzville Basketball League kicks off one of the biggest amateur tournaments in Dubai on Friday at the Jumeira Baccalaureate School.

    Twenty-eight teams will vie for the Cup, total cash prize of 26,000 dirhams and bragging rights in four divisions: Inter-hotel; Inter-company; Class D (6ft below); and Inter-tailoring (sports apparel).

    Expect loads of basketball action and some interesting side notes as old foes and emerging rivalries collide on the hard court.

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    Highly anticipated is the comeback of Jumeirah Group which returns to the local basketball scene after a seven-year hiatus.

    Team coordinator Ernie Tejam, Jr. warns they are stronger than before as they will be fielding their best Filipino, Russian, Kenyan and Indian players selected from their recent domestic tournament.

    But no team can be hungrier than Atlantis The Palm, Dubai who are seeking to lift their first championship trophy. Despite a formidable line-up anchored by Kenyan centre Rey Odhiambo, Atlantis managed to finish only as runners-up in previous tournaments. 

    Coach Manuel Kuong beefed up his side with Serbian, American, and Russian reinforcements but he still has to pull some magic off his sleeves to steer his rookie-laden team to the Final.

    Preparations and team practice are regularly being held by Crowne Plaza Dubai who are highly favoured to lift the Cup in the Inter-hotel division. Player-coach Patrick Tiongco said his team, which has already won two championship trophies, is still intact.

    Expectations are also high from Auris Plaza Hotel, Asiana Hotel and Mövenpick Hotel Deira, who will all provide stiff competition and give the more experienced teams a run for their money.

    Another highlight of the JBL is the Inter-tailoring category with sports apparel companies enlisting former professional players to boost their campaign.

    Ican Customised Apparel manager Jake Celocia said he is tapping the services of former PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) players Sonny Toring and Bong Guerrero to boost the efforts of Alwyn Flores Mike Almonte, Jojo Cagampang and Jayson Araneta.

    Al Ain-based Kabayan Gents Tailoring will also be travelling to Dubai with a formidable and tall line-up led by 6’6” centre Gilbert Neo and 6’2” shooting guard Jonathan Fernandez who played for Purefoods in the PBA.

    Dubai-based PGW (Philippine Garments Workshop), McFearin Tailoring and Perfect Fit will also shoot for the top prize and 12,000 cash bonus.

    The Inter-company category battle will be between Nestle, Souq.com, Al Tayer, Al Seer, Dubai Drydocks and Kendah while Jak’s Mankok, Bisaya Tanan, JND, Kalma, Team Undo, Sweetie Vendela, PEBA Selection, Batang Lubao, Pampanga, and Zuma will fight for Class D division honours.

    “JBL provides a platform for players to develop their game and improve their skills,” JK Sports chairman Roland Crisostomo told Sport360. 

    JBL is powered by JK Sports Tournament and Organizing Services and supported by Wall Street Exchange, Filinvest, The Medical City, JK Technical Services, and Jak’s Mankok House.

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