25 July 2014 – The 8th IRemit Cup Basketball and Volleyball Tournament of the Philippine Basketball League in Lebanon (PHILBALL), the annual sports event for OFWs in Lebanon, formally opened in Beirut on July 20 at the Michel El Murr Sports Stadium in Dora near Beirut. Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz and the event’s sponsor IRemit General Manager Mr. Leon Gostanian formally opened the tournament, which will take place every Sunday up to October.
Nine teams are competing for the men’s basketball, namely: Bakod, RP Eagles, Chopsticks, Filipino Community Association (FCA), Filipino Investment Association (FIVA), Manila Samafil, Solid Brothers, Rockers, and Mistah. There are 10 teams participating for the women’s volleyball namely: RP Eagles, Western Visayas Association in Lebanon (WEVAL), FIVA, Manila Samafil, Filipino Workers Association in Metn (FILWAM), Rockers, Mistah, Chopsticks, VIP Pasaway and OFW Magbaysay.
The opening ceremony included the parade of the participating teams, the presentation of the muse and the uniforms of each team and the cheering squad competition.
Philippine Ambassador Ruiz delivered a message to congratulate the officers of PHILBALL and the different community organizations for once again working together to strengthen unity, camaraderie and sportsmanship among Filipinos in Beirut and Mount Lebanon as their favorite teams compete during the tournament. END