DUBAI: Chinese Star Restaurant – Tacloban City clinched the ConGen’s Cup 2019 title during the finals held Sept. 20, a fun-filled, action-packed day that capped seven weekends of basketball showdown that culminated in a friendly match between Dubai-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and a team of popular stars who flew in from Manila for the event, witnessed by tens of thousands of Pinoys across the globe.
The Congen’s Cup 2019, organized by Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes with help from Filipino community leaders, was the first of a series of events to promote the participation of the Philippines in the Dubai expo 2020.
Dubbed as the “biggest celebrity basketball event outside the Philippines,” the ConGen’s Cup will brought together best players from each team and faced them off in a friendly match with the TV stars from the Philippines in a much-anticipated match held in Al Ahli Sports Club in Al Nahda.
Stars from Manila were Kristoffer Martin, Mike Tan, Rocco Nacino, Mark Herras, Derrick Monasterio, Andre Paras and Mikael Daez. Showbiz royalty Janine Gutierrez also graced the much-anticipated event.
Dubai teams were Pasay City DFA, Power Tech Dagupan City, MPQ Travel & Tourism San Pablo City, Chow King Chao Fan Bacolod City, Chinese Star Restaurant Tacloban City, Alaminos City Pangasinan, Escalante City Hacienderos, MTB Jumeirah Cabanatuan City, Sigma Lamda Phi – Davao City and the Balanga City Risers. Opening ceremonies were held Friday, Aug. 9 also at Al Ahli Sports Club in Al Nahda.
Meantime, second place was Powertech Dagupan City; and third, Balanga City Risers.
Ace Lester Quijada, Chairman of ConGen’s Cup Organizing Committee, said that on the Mythical Five were Mark Anthony Reyes (Powertech Dagupan City); Rodel Campos (Powertech Dagupan City); Ralph Valmonte (Balanga City Risers); Earish Alfaro (Balanga City Risers); and Marvin Carillo (UAE MTB Jumeirah Cabanatuan City) Quijada said Season MVP was Joey Marcelo (Chinese Star Restaurant Tacloban City) while Finals MVP was Livino Bisnar (Chinese Star Restaurant Tacloban City). Best Muse went to Ms. Marviel Colmo (UAE MTB Jumeirah Cabanatuan City). (Jojo Dass) Photos: Jay Gonzales Fuerzas/Kabayan Kamera Klub.
