JEDDAH, 30 November — Samba Speedcash defeated Al Balagh Graphics 75-53 to claim a right to meet Al Arabi Décor in the best-of-three championship series of Inter-Commercial category of the Seiko-JBL year 2001 basketball tournament held in Crowne Plaza hotel basketball court. Samba Speedcash caught Al Balagh Graphics in their off night, Al Balagh tried hard to stay in contention but due to so many turnovers they could not convert some easy baskets. Garcia was top scorer with 24 points for Samba Speedcash while Belarmino and Manlapaz scored 15 points apiece for Al Balagh Graphics.
In another game, Fitaihi Jewellers outshone Al Yanabie Advertising 65-60 for the 2nd seat in the best-of-three finals for the bona fide inter-company category. It was a seasaw battle between these two ball clubs during the whole game. With only two minutes left in the final quarter, Fitaihi Jewellers escape the man-to-man defense applied by Al Yanabie and scored the crucial free throws in the dying seconds. Al Yanabie tried to get back to the game but all their efforts went in vain. Jong Agustin and Nonoy Guarra scored 24 and 22 points respectively for Fitaihi Jeweller. Rey Buhat was top scorer with 28 points for Al Yanabie Advertising.
In another match, Al Arabi Décor escaped a near defeat at the hands of Sames Pest Control 82-80. Both teams played their gems, Al Arabi displayed balance offense with four players scoring double digits while Sames Pest Control scoring machine Ronald Batarao as usual took the scoring load. With only 8 seconds remaining in the final quarter and Al Arabi ahead by two points, Havana unleashed a desperation jumper to equalize the score but the ball bounce the rim and went out. Sunga, De Jesus, Lacuata and Al Hajj scored 22, 21, 16 and 15 points respectably for Al Arabi decors while Batarao top score with 29 points for Sames Pest Control.
This tournament is principally sponsored by SEIKO Al Hussaini & Company courtesy of Sheikh 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), Arab News (Javed Akthar), The Filipino Channel-ABS/CBN (Nonoy Velo), Samba Speed Cash and Al Haddaf Sports Wear.
Mean while, Registration for JBL-Sames Invitational basketball tournament is going on daily in Sames basketball court, Bagdadiyah district, Madina Road near Balad. The tournament is open to Inter-Company Bonafide teams and Non-rated Inter-Commercial teams. For details call Mohammad Rasheed Suyat (Mobile-053-611016) and Honorio Baligasa (642-1496).
