20 teams for XBA-BlackBerry Cup

The initial round of the tightly packed 2-division championships were seen through immediately after the event was announced during the weekend.

Teams and officials after the XBA–BlackBerry Cup announcement. — Supplied photo

There are top awards at stake in the two divisions of the inaugural XBA (Xpat Ballers Association)–BlackBerry Cup at the Salah Al Deen Sports Hall in Al Mamzar.

Six teams are in the Class C category: Dubai Metro, Capital Engineering, Indus Blades, Jazzville, Face N Book, Argonautz; while 14 teams have been lined up for the Class D Division: Etisalat, UAE Knights, Bio Star, Philippine Used Cars Showroom, Al Nahda, HABC, Pack2Go, Ellen Jei, Biyakers, Victory Heights, Heat, Cabalen, North Ilocandia, and Capital Engineering.

League organiser Jei Caneda said: “This basketball tournament is not just aimed at providing a competitive environment for basketball aficionados but is also an opportunity to raise funds for our kababayans (compatriots) who are in need.”

XBA donated Dh10,000 to the Philippine Overseas Labour Office in Dubai for the benefit of distressed Filipino migrant workers, a media communiqué added.

Meanwhile, in the opening games last Friday, UAE Knights valiantly trounced Bio Star 91-51; while Hor Al Anz Basketball Club (HABC) also trashed Victory Heights 93-61. UAE Knights opened their game against Bio Star with a 10-0 run and never looked back. Four Knights scored in double digits led by Chevy Uy with 18 points, followed by Rodel San Diego with 12; while Andy del Rosario and Dave Agagne contributed 10 markers each.

Bio Star only had a short 10-2 rally at the start of the third quarter but UAE Knights did not let their guards down and retaliated with a commanding 35-point lead, 66-31, going into the fourth period and en route to a big 40-point winning margin.

UAE Knights playing coach Cris Zablan said: “The momentum was on our side from the opening tip. Even though we were leading by a big margin as early as the second quarter, we did not lose our focus on the game and continued playing aggressive basketball.”

moni@khaleejtimes.com