Photo Caption:

Charge d’Affaires Melvin C Almonguera (seated third right) and PIBAQ President Pat Carido (seated third left) along with other officials at the press conference at Corp Executive Hotel yesterday.

By: Reynald (Peninsula)

 

 

 

DOHA: The fourth GCC All- Filipino Club Championship which kicks off today at Al Gharafa Sports Club will be a showcase of Filipinos’ passion for basketball and the spirit of sportsmanship among the teams from four participating nations.

Charge d’Affaires Melvin C Almonguera expressed the Philippine Embassy’s support for the event in line with the Mission’s keenness in promoting healthy lifestyle in support of the Qatari government’s endeavours.

“This event will surely show the world Filipinos have the spirit to excel in the field of sports. We would like to show every one Filipinos’ sportsmanship, competitiveness and the will power to go on and succeed,” said Almonguera at a press conference yesterday at Corp Executive Hotel Doha Suites.

The quadripartite tournament would see Abu Dhabi Kings, Bahrain Stallions, Dubai’s D Heat and Qatar Falcons battle it out on the hard court during the two-day event.

Hosted by Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ) for the first time, the championship is set to be one of the biggest spectacles for Filipino basketball fans here 14 years after the last tourney was held in Dubai.

The tournament opens today at 10am with a match between Dubai and Bahrain followed by a game between Qatar and Abu Dhabi at 12 noon.

Admission is free.

One of the key organisations in Qatar which has been host- ing Filipino basketball events in the country, PIBAQ has been at the forefront of major spectacular basketball events involving famous Filipino players and fund raising tournaments.

THE PENINSULA