Philippine team tops expat basketball tournament in Oman

A team of Filipino expats stayed unbeaten on route to winning the third Spirit of Nations 2012 Expat Basketball Tournament, besting Lebanon last May 4 in the championship game at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Oman.   Other participants in the tournament had included teams from China, Spain, Serbia, Sudan, the United States and Turkey, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.   The members of the team work in several large Omani companies such as Occidental Petroleum, Strabag Oman, Ibra College, and Muscat Municipality.   The Expat Basketball Tournament, organized by Promo Oman LLC, aims to enhance the friendly relations of Omani and expatriate communities, through basketball and other sports.   Philippine Ambassador to Oman Joselito Jimeno watched the final matches and was among the presenters of trophies to the winners during the event's closing ceremony.   At a gathering at the Embassy chancery last May 5, Philippine team coordinator Erick de Jesus, team manager Roberto delos Santos, coaches Clarence Carlos and Alain Garcia, and the players turned over the trophy and plaque of appreciation to Jimeno.   Jimeno congratulated the team and encouraged them to continue working towards projecting the best image of the Filipino in Oman not only at work, but also through friendly sports competitions. – AMD, GMA News