COCA COLA HOLDS GMA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT FOR TOTAL WELL-BEING OF EMPLOYEES

Coca Cola Company brings back the basketball competition to ensure wellness and total well-being among the employees after commencing the GMA Basketball Tournament 2019 at the San Juan Gymnasium in San Juan City last Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

Consisting of 14 teams which are divided into two divisions, namely North and South, the basketball tournament began with only six interested teams until other units of the company showed their desire to participate that made this event the biggest basketball competition in the last five years.

According to Mr. Rodney Guiyang, Human Resources Area Manager for Commercial Unit, teams came between the areas of Bulacan and Las Piñas and even individuals with higher positions had their names included in their designated teams, assuring all players that everyone will be treated equally.

"Sa company natin, we would like the employees to have this total well-being. It's not just work, not just the knowledge na makukuha sa trabaho, but also we want the physical aspect din para balansyado ang lahat for them," he stated.

Following the Round Robin format for each division in the elimination round, only four teams per division will be qualifying to the quarterfinals whereas the first-seeded team will face the fourth-seeded squad of the same division, and the second-seeded takes on the team at the third spot. The winners in the first round will be battling it out in the knock out semifinals to determine the division champions. And lastly, the best team in each division will have a crossover match to know who will become the first-ever GMA Basketball Tournament champion.

"We expect teams to be competitive lalo na yung mga support teams natin at saka yung distribution team natin. Yon yung mga kahit wala tayong regular league na ganito, on a weekly basis talagang nagkikita-kita sila para maglaro. We just grouped them according to their function kaya nabuo yung mga teams natin. Kaya we are expecting na mas gaganda ang mga laban lalo na sa dulong part ng paliga," Guiyang explained.

After seeing how interested the employees are in playing basketball, Guiyang said that the company is targeting to make it an annual event. Aside from this, they are also looking forward at holding other sports-related activities like volleyball and badminton for the ladies and LGBT members.

"For some reason, na-stop itong ganitong klase ng event sa company. Ngayon lang ulit natin ito ginawa. We do have small events related to basketball but not like this na talagang malaki at maraming sumali. Hopefully, we are looking at making this kind of event done regularly, maybe annually."

Heavy competition was felt in as early as the opening day when Powerade outlasted Coke Zero, 59-55, and Royal overcame Eight O'clock, 53-50. Ples showed up with 14 points for Powerade, while Angeles shone in the second game by finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds.

Trophies will be given to team winners and gift certificates are being prepared for individual awardees.