FAPS’ eid regional volleyball showdown strikes anew in Riyadh

By Marlon Baris-Vicente
Riyadh-Saudi Arabia
September 21, 2016



RIYADH: It has been said that volleyball is one of the well-loved sports nowadays. And FAPS proved it once again by spearheading the 8^th FAPS Men’s and Women’s Regional Volleyball Showdown held from the 10^th to 12^th of September 2016 at Kingdom Hospital sports ground, here.

Now on its 8^th year, FAPS-Filipino Athletes and Performers Society in cooperation with FILSAVE-Filipino Society of Volleyball Enthusiast conducted this worthwhile endeavor – bringing Filipinos closer to each other. Dubbed as the regional volleyball showdown, it was indeed a successful event held in time of the eid holidays 2016 due to the participation of teams from the eastern regions – Hail and Qassim, aside from the host city, Riyadh.

In attendance during the opening program held on September 10, 2016, who in return, sat as judges are Michelle Torres and Mr. Ahmed-Enjaz Banking Services, Darwin Mancao-Professional hair and makeup artist/stylist, MJ Fanorama-Community leader and Marlon Vicente-Freelance writer/event host. They were tasked to select the much-anticipated awards given during the opening day. Qassim Women took home the Best in Uniform award while Best Banner was awarded to Bisdak Riyadh. On the other hand, the Best Muse was clinched by SPIS Flying Dragonz of the undercard category.

Highlighting the opening was the parade and presentation of participating teams which includes Bisdak Team A Central Region, Incredibowls Riyadh, Eastern Region and KAMPI Hail of Men’s Division, and Bisdak Ladies, Sharks Riyadh, Strikers and Qassim Women of Women’s Division. Comprising the Undercard Category are Incredibowls B, RIS Warriors, Brothers, Kingdom Spikers, Bisdak B and SPIS Flying Dragonz.

During the 3-day league wherein series of games from the elimination rounds to the championship bouts, Bisdak Team A Central Region of Men’s Division and Sharks Riyadh of Women’s Division, both from Riyadh took home the championship trophy. Completing the Men’s Division winners are Incredibowls Riyadh-1^st runner up, Eastern Region-2^nd runner up and KAMPI Hail-3^rd runner up. Women’s Division winners also include Strikers, Bisdak Ladies and Qassim Women as 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd runners up, respectively.. The undercard category was won by Brothers-Champion followed by Bisdak Team B-1^st runner up and SPIS Flying Dragonz-2^nd runner up. Eliminated teams are Incredbowls B, Kingdom Spikers and RIS Warriors.

On September 12, 2016, the championship battle for the undercard category which started at 5:30 p.m. was played between Brothers and Bisdak B, where the later won and declared champion. The match for men’s regional showdown between Bisdak A and Incredibowls A became intense and triggered excitement among the audiences. At the end of the game, Bisdak A prevailed. On the other hand, the women’s division bout was as exciting as the men’s and was even considered the main highlight of the championship round. It was a close battle between Sharks and Strikers, but Sharks remained victorious at the end. Present during the closing ceremony was Mr. Aaron of Lebara Mobile, who eventually handed the awards to all the winners.

Notable sponsors who took part in the success of the regional showdown are Lebara Mobile, Enjaz Banking Services, Al Rabie Juice and Mr. Nick Jayag supported by the Kabalikat Civicom and AKRHO.

The 8^th FAPS Men’s and Women’s Regional Volleyball Showdown organizing committee includes Leo Encarnacion-FAPS President and Technical Committee Head, Erwin Manic-VP for Sports, Henry Britos-VP for Performers, Mary Aliasas-VP for Finance, Jay-Ar Gonzales-Secretary of the Board, Charlotte Villones-Founding Chairman/Board of Trustee with the support of Roger Cadion and Marco Verzuela-Referees, Jay-Ar Gonzales, Henry Britos, Rhone Sacdalan, Alex Monzales and Jayson Gonzales-Table Officials. (Marlon B. Vicente, an OFW freelance writer and event host. E-mail at ).