Kuwaiti Filipino basketball team ready for GCC Club Championship showdown in Qatar

• Previously known as the Philippine Basketball Club in Kuwait, the Maharlika League Kuwait was established in 2008. The team competes in different local basketball tournaments and has gained popularity among Kuwait’s basketball leagues.

By Ricky Laxa
Staff Writer

Twenty Filipino nationals, including a Kuwaiti Filipino, will compete in the upcoming 7th All-Filipino GCC Club Championship basketball tournament from March 21 to 22, in Qatar. This marks the first time that all-Filipino players based in Kuwait will represent their community in the competition.

In a brief interview with the organizers, Maharlika League Kuwait, managed by the SBP Kuwait-Filipino Basketball Referees Club in Kuwait (Filbarck), mentioned that the players have been undergoing rigorous training to further enhance their sports skills.

The team trains at the Maharlika Basketball League Kuwait in KTEch University, Abu Halifa. The twenty-man team is the result of a series of try-outs held recently. The League is managed by Filbarck-SBP Kuwait, a member of SBP Technical.

Previously known as the Philippine Basketball Club in Kuwait, the Maharlika League Kuwait was established in 2008. The organization is the founding group of the 5’8″ and 5’5″ divisions in Filipino basketball history in Kuwait and originally held weekly games in Qibla.

The competing team includes, Semajj Nilknarff, BorjAlisbo, Mark Tadlas, Marlon Valderama, Jeff Salameda, Billie Lopez, Gab Balbuena, Aram Lapig, Joel Alesna, Hamad, Obaid, Mahdie Al Subaieh, April Importado, Mark Abejar, Exequiel Cayabyab, Chino Ibay, Harry Bargamento, Zyrus Dasmarinas, Lawrence Iluis, JoevertAguirre, Joven Ubasa, Earish Alfaro, Bong Caballero, Levy Fajardo, and Ralph Rosales. The team officers are Franklin James, Jesnor Garcia, and Renato Niegas. Coaches include Jefrey Reyes, Kenneth Dayoja, and Ralph Rosales, with team captains Mark Tadlas and BorjAlisbo.

This will be the first time the team represents the Filipino community of Kuwait in the competition. Various organizations in Kuwait have extended invitations to the team to attend their events and promote the upcoming competition.

The team currently competes in different local basketball tournaments and has gained popularity not only within the Filipino sports community but also among Kuwait’s basketball leagues. The team will pay a courtesy call to the Ambassador of the Philippines on Wednesday.