JEDDAH, 23 November — Al Arabi Décor beat Zuhair Fayez 86-58 in the Seiko-JBL basketball tournament held at the Crowne Plaza hotel basketball court. Al Arabi Décor displayed championship form during the entire game. Zuhair Fayez lost their breathe in the fourth quarter as the Sudanese giantkiller Muhammad. Al Hajj prevailed them in the shaded area. Larry Sunga was top scorer with 33 points for Al Arabi Décor while Bong Umlas scored 23 points for Zuhair Fayez.
In another match, Crowne Plaza hotel upset the highly favorite Al Balagh Graphics 77-73. Crowne Plaza hotel with 60 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter unleashed a deadly 6-0 run to take the driver’s seat. Al Balagh Graphics tried to get back in the contention but a pressure defense applied to their point guard destruct the offensive patterns. Vano and Jason scored 27 and 21 points respectably for Crowne Plaza hotel while Belarmino top score for Al Balagh Graphics.
In Friday’s game, Seiko-Electro Industries scored their fifth straight win against Gulf Royal restaurant 80-62. Both teams displayed basketball skills up to the third quarter. In the resumption of the fourth quarter, Seiko-Electro Industries applied back-door plays with Belarmino and Lazarte alternately attacking the defense. Gulf Royal restaurant tried to sneak back to the game but some due to some missing shots and costly errors in the dying moments led their fall. Rick Belarmino was top scorer with 31 points for Seiko-Electro Industries while Burgos scored 21 points for Gulf Royal Restaurant.
In another game, Al Yanabie escaped a near defeat at the hands of KIA Motors, 74-73. With only 16 seconds in the final quarter, the winners were ahead with three points.
The losers scored a quick two-play to reduce the lead then a quick foul to stop the clock but the winners with veteran playmaker Buhat orchestrated a four corner play to end the game. Rey Buhat and Joaquin scored 20 and 18 points respectable fot he winner while Amazona top score with 17 points for the losers.
In the Inter-hotel category, Al Badr hotel defeated Seiko-Marriott hotel 74-69 for the second seat of the best-of-three finals against Westin Hotel. It was the do-or-die battle for both teams vying for the 2nd seat in the finals. Dindo Garces — a veteran Jeddah all star player — displayed all-around game, attacking the defense, dominated the rebound offensively and defensively and remained top scorer with 20 points for Al Badr hotel while Beato scored 16 points for Seiko-Marriott hotel.
In another match, Westin Hotel beat Crowne Plaza hotel, 94-74. Westin Hotel showed no mercy to the host team who upset the Seiko-Marriott in their last assignment and pounded the defense plus their killer run and gun offense. Crowne Plaze hotel tried to keep the game at bay but Westin hotel are too strong to contain. Gatchalian scored 26 points for Westin hotel and adjusted as the best player of the game while Magallanes top score with 18 points for Crowne Plaza hotel.
The tournament is principally sponsored by Seiko Al Hussaini Company courtesy of Abdulrahman Al Husseini and Mohammad Ali Taleb. Other companies supporting this tournament are Jeddah Crowne Plaza Hotel (Muhamad Al Harthy), Malaysia Airlines (Morad Omar), Alhamrani - Fuchs Petroleum Saudi Arabia (Sulaiman Al Hulayil), Sigma Paints (Danny Quiambao), Giordano Fashions (MAK Jeelani), Samba Speedcash and Al Haddaf Sportswear.
Meanwhile, JBL-Sames Invitational basketball tournament is set to start from Dec. 21 at the Sames Pest Control basketball court, Baghdadiyah district, Madina Road near Balad. The tournament is open to Inter-Company Bonafide team and Non-rated Inter-Commercial team. Registration is going on every Thursday and Friday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel basketball court. For details contact M. Rasheed Suyat (Mobile-053-611016) and Honorio Baligasa (642-1496).
