RIYADH, 30 November — Shib Al Jazeera Const., with familiar faces in its roster Abel Carreon (who highlighted another impressive performance in the league’s statistics sheet) and Peter Hernando overpowered the Luzviminda squad with ace cager Jun Soriano in its line-up, 90-80 in the continuing games of the Sita Cargo Services and 8th Contracting Est. 2nd Open Invitational Basketball Tournament taking place at the 8th Contracting Est. Basketball Court, Riyadh every Friday from 7 a.m. onward.

According to Rene C. Tapang, chairman and sports commissioner of this tournament, this event is their initial project with the aim of promoting basketball to the highest degree of sportsmanship to all teams who are taking part in this league. Tapang added that eight teams had confirmed their participation in this invitational tournament namely Tokyo Restaurant, BLM Team, Riyadh Slashers, Shib Al Jazeera Const., Cash & Carry, Luzviminda, Barkada Team, Electric Co., and TFC-Riyadh.

The battle between Shib Al Jazeera team and the Luzviminda squad favored the former in the first and second canto and a breathtaking encounter during the second half where the Luzviminda squad narrowed the margin to two at the end of the third quarter and managed to register deadlocks in the first and last few seconds of the final canto. First quarter was just a fantastic scenario as Shib Al Jazeera boyz controlled the game with the excellent rebounds and assists of Abel “bull strong” Carreon who finished with 10 points. Determined to end the ballgame in their favor Coach Edwin Sarmiento was inspired with the actions made by his men led by Jeff Baybay, Orly Alcantara, Peter Hernando, Sandy Alaiza and Bobby Garcia paving the way to a 14-point lead, 27-13 in their favor.

This deficit did not let the Luzviminda cagers lose hope and strongly endured the firmness in the hard court. This paid high dividend as they successfully cut down the lead to 8 points at the end of the second canto, 49-41 through the combined efforts of Reyes, Baldomero, Jun Soriano, and Sawit. The next scenario saw the Luzviminda cagers worked hard and played defensively and with Reyes and Baldomero who triggered successive points, the lead was down to only two points 64-62 at the end of the third quarter. Luzviminda cagers almost restored to life when Jun Soriano converted a field goal in the first 24 seconds of the final quarter symbolizing a deadlock, 64-all and successfully outscored their opponent when Reyes converted an under goal basket in the first two minutes resulting to a hairline margin in their favor.

Nevertheless, Shib Al Jazeera players vowed not to settle for less when Peter Hernando registered a triple shot as they regained control of the hard court. The match was so crucial and in the last three minutes of the ballgame, another deadlock was registered at 78-all. Finally as the game was almost done, Luzviminda squad nearly saw their defeat when their precious gems Sawit fouled out followed by Baldomero. Shib Al Jazeera boyz took this chance and continued to exhibit their best as they seal the match with a 10-point margin, 90-80. Meanwhile, it was an easy victory for the Riyadh Slashers when their opponent TFC-Riyadh failed to show up. In consideration, the sports committee extended the time schedule to another 30 minutes. This remarkable event is being hosted by Sita Cargo Services in collaboration with 8th Contracting Est. through the generosity of Fikry Younan Andrawis, general manager. The sponsors of this tournament are Power Horse Energy Drink, all the way through its Country Manager Herman Ritz and Ramon “Nonoy” Quema, Jr., TFC-Riyadh through Antonio Velo, Jr. - Country Manager, Al Bustan Ready Mix through Ramir A. Mariano, and the Rentar Restaurant. The Executive Committee of the Sita Cargo Services and 8th Contracting Est. Open Invitational Basketball Tournament include: Rene C. Tapang - Chairman and Sports Commissioner with Emil Rentar as the Sports Committee Chairman. Other officials are Sammy Cid, Sandy Rentar, Anthony Rauyana, Ed Tariman, Penn Mallen, Jing Zamudio, Rudy Amihan, Lito Mancilla, and Ernie Hernandez. The FCBR Referees are the officiating referees of this tournament.

The scores:

Shib Al Jazeera (90) — Baybay Jeff 18, Alcantara 15, Hernando 13, Alaiza 13, Carreon Abel 10, Joya 10, Baybay Junel 4, Garcia 3, Ladia 2, and Placino 2 beat Luzviminda (80) - Reyes 31, Baldomero 21, Soriano 16, Sawit 9, Orate 2, and Saribay 1. Referees: Ramon Mutuc and Robert Pineda.

Riyadh Slashers won by default (no show) against TFC team awarding them 20 points in their favor.