PH, Bahrain Come Together in First Goodwill Basketball Game Since Pandemic
(Top photo) Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Anne Jalando-on Louis (6th from left), H.H. Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa (7th from left), PBBL President Daryll Soriano (5th from left), Filipino Club President Ric Advinvula (leftmost), other officials of the Philippine Embassy, and officials of the Bahrain Basketball Association with the PBA All-Star Legends prior to the goodwill game on 16 February 2023. (Bottom photo) CDA Louis, HH Shaikh Isa and other Bahraini officials with the Bahraini National Basketball Team. (Manama PE photo)
MANAMA, 22 February 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Manama led by Chargé d’ Affaires Anne Jalando-on Louis joined more than a thousand spectators, many of whom were Filipinos, in cheering for the PBA All-Star Legends during their friendly basketball game against the Bahrain National Basketball Team on 16 February 2023 at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium in Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain.
The opening ceremony for the game was graced by Embassy officials and H.H. Shaikh Isa bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and officials of the Bahrain Basketball Association. CDA Louis conveyed her appreciation to H.H. Shaikh Isa, the Bahrain Basketball Association, and the relevant government agencies of the Kingdom of Bahrain for facilitating the holding of the goodwill game.
The team of Philippine PBA All-Star Legends comprised Team Coach Allan Caidic, Gherome Ejercito, Roger Yap Jr., John Ferriols, Cyrus Baguio, Ejay Fiehl, Sunday Salvacion, JJ Heltherbrand, Marc Pingris, and Rico Mairhofer.
At the end of the match, the enthusiastic crowd continuously cheered for the PBA Legends despite the result ending in favor of Bahrain’s National Basketball Team.
After three years, the 10th Philippines-Bahrain Goodwill Basketball Game was held again in Bahrain through the efforts of the Pinoy Bahrain Basketball League (PBBL) led by its President, Mr. Daryll Soriano. The Goodwill Basketball Game series started in 2003, with the last game held in 2019 prior to the pandemic. Mr. Soriano informed the Embassy that his group is honored to organize the PHL-Bahrain goodwill match to showcase the friendship and cooperation between both countries, and to be part of the commemoration of the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Philippines-Bahrain Diplomatic Relations this year. END
The PBA All-Star Legends (white and blue jerseys) and the Bahrain National Basketball Team (red jerseys) in action. (Manama PE photo)
CDA Louis (3rd from right) and Embassy officials received the Philippine PBA All-Star Legends during their courtesy call at the Philippine Embassy on 16 February 2023. (Manama PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.manamape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain, or https://www.instagram.com/phlinbahrain/.