JEDDAH, 30 November — Just like picking apples or whatever fruit one fancies, Sharbatly also raked in Zahid Tractor, 98-78, to presage a trend of lopsided victories and only two games were closely fought as the true characters of the teams come to the fore at the 8th ALJ invitational basketball tournament at the ALJ-Rehab courts here.
DGM Seifalah Sharbatly’s fruit vendors scored their fourth straight victory mowing down their rivals one after another — just like picking apples — installing them heavy favorites in intercompany Group B even as Jong Rapada’s Fujitec S.A. refused to be outdone in overcoming a hard fighting ALJ-Rehab Hospital crew, 75-70, for an immaculate 3-0 slate, the same card shared by three teams in Group A.
Bentley’s Tea, Goody and Zuhair Fayez are 3-0 in Group A as the tea makers showed no sign of letting up despite the absence of playmaker Nap Solis and made it a bonus upon themselves as the only team to breach the century mark over the weekend in a overwhelming Prince, 105-79 while Goody spanked D’Strykers, 98-71. Al-Hekma finally barged into the win column with a close 68-65 victory over Avalon but an even closer victory was registered by Lexus over Corolla, 76-75.
In other games, Camry marched to its third straight win by beating Century 74-55 and Al-Mabani was the meanest among the lopsided victors essaying 31-point blowout of Sadafco, 93-62.
The key to Sharbatly’s success was their balanced offensive thrust with five fruit vendors submitting double-figures plus a strong finishing kick of 33 points in the final bend. Penaflor topscored for Sharbatly with 19, followed by Tacuboy and Remigio hitting 18 apiece while Dianzai and Beltran contributed 12 and 10. De Guino (27) led Zahid Tractor under team manager and IT director Nasser Bayram.
Although he did not emerge top scorer for their team, Ramon Manguera’s nine-point output in the pivotal frame along with Abad’s 10 of 18 markers also in the fourth, was crucial in Lexus one-point victory over the Corollas. It was a very disappointing loss for the Corollas who had an imposing 38-19 at the half and a 55-40 third quarter advantage. Martin led the winner with 25 and Cruz added 13 while Rocky Gil and A. Perez delivered 26 and 23 for the losers.
