Seven top basketball clubs in the region and one professional team from the PBA (Phillippine Basketball Association) will battle for supremacy in the 2nd Al Shabab Club International Basketball Tournament from May 17-25.
The event is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and hosts Al Shabab Club will represent the UAE along with University of Sharjah and Team Unity, a group of UAE-based American players.
Hoops Club, who are playing in Division A of the Lebanese Basketball League, will also participate as well as Al Zamalek of Egypt, Al Ahli (Libya), and Al Sahel (Kuwait).
“We are bringing some of the best teams in the region for nine days of thrilling basketball action,” assistant tournament manager Waleed Awad Samy told Sport360º.
“Barako Bull Energy Cola from PBA, the oldest professional basketball league in Asia, will also be in action.
“Basketball fans in the country will definitely enjoy watching the games and we hope that through this tournament, we can help boost the popularity of basketball in the region,” he added.
Meanwhile, Barako Bull Serbian coach Rajko Toroman will field NBA D-League player Mike Singletary to reinforce his Filipino team after talks with NBA veteran Othyus Jeffers have failed.
The former Rio Grande Vipers forward will go up against teams with at least two imports. Barako Bull will have Al Ahli- Libya for their first assignment on Friday at 21:00 after the opening match between Al Shabab-UAE and Hoops Club-Lebanon at 19:00.
Their next match is on Saturday against Al Zamalek-Egypt, then Sunday against Team Unity-USA. Filipino basketball organiser and PBBL Commissioner Jhun Paule said he’s confident Barako Bull will easily coast through the elimination round but will face tough competition in the playoffs especially if meeting the Lebanese team.
He called on the huge Filipino community in Dubai to come out in support of Barako Bull.
FACTFILE
VENUE: Al Shabab Club, Dubai
WHAT: the 2nd Al Shabab Club International Basketball Tournament
WHEN: Commencing this Friday, May 17 until the 25th
Sport360 VERDICT: Come down and have a ball as you witness the region’s hoop stars go head to head at Al Shabab.
COST: Tickets are available at the gate for Dh25.
CONTACT: For more details of the tournament, contact Waleed at 050-738535 or Paule (055 2007125).
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