DUBAI, UAE – After the successful staging of the 22nd Dubai International Basketball Championship where the Philippine national team Smart Gilas captured 2nd place, Filipino basketball fans in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have another tournament to look forward to: the 1st Pinoy Big Brother League (PBBL)-Western Union Hard Court Challenge.

The basketball tournament which will kick off on February 18 will be played for 20 Fridays at the Dubai Club for Special Sports (formerly known as Dubai Handicap Club) in Al Nahda with 34 teams vying for basketball supremacy.

The league, duly sanctioned by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, aims to build closer ties within the Filipino community and to foster strong camaraderie among other expats in the UAE.

The organizers of the basketball tournament are also seeking to raise funds which will go to a charity foundation in the Philippines that serves indigent children.

“We want to give the Filipino community in Dubai quality basketball entertainment and at the same time raise funds for our needy countrymen in the Philippines,” said Danny Vera, chairman of PBBL.

Vera, who has been living in Dubai for the past 25 years, added that the most cherished Filipino trait of bayanihan or team work is best exemplified in a team sport such as basketball. The value of helping others is also being instilled.

A total of 34 teams have signed up for the tournament. Participating in the Inter-Hotel & Inter-Company category are: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dusit Hotel, Traders Hotel, Fairmont Hotel, Kempinsky Hotel, Atlantis Hotel, Al Seer Company, Siemens, Emirates Aluminum, Dry Docks, Carrefour, GFT, Spinneys and Emaar. Another 20 teams will participate in the Class C category.

The Class C Category is open only for Filipino citizens with valid UAE residence visa while the Inter-Hotel & Inter-Company category is open to all employees regardless of nationality.

All games will be officiated by a group of referees headed by Garchie Ferrer, former professional referee in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The champion team in the Inter-Hotel & Inter-Company category will get AED (Arab Emirates Dirham) 3,500 and trophy while the champion team in the Class C Category will get AED 3,500 and trophy. The winning teams will also get other prizes from the tournament sponsors such as Western Union, Praxis Karaoke, President Hotel and Powerhorse energy drink.

For more information about the league, contact Danny Vera at 00 971 50 5784351; or email at: danielricardovera@yahoo.com.