JEDDAH, 7 December — Westin Hotel beat Al Badr hotel 68-55 to advance to the best-of-three championship series for the Inter-Hotel category of the Seiko-JBL basketball tournament being played at Crowne Plaza hotel basketball court. It was a ding-dong battle between these two teams up to the third quarter. In the resumption of the fourth quarter, Westin Hotel applied running game and a man-to-man defense to pressure the ball carrier of Al Badr hotel. Westin Hotel with John Gatchalian and Pordan kept on attacking the defense and outscored Al Badr in the fourth quarter. Al Badr with Dindo Garces and Leo Almoite tried to stay inthe contention but failed to control their breathe in the dying minutes. Gatchalian, Pordan and Fuentabella scored 22, 13 and 11 points for Westin Hotel while Garces top score with 15 points for Al Badr Hotel.
In another game, Jologs survived a late scare of Sames Pest Controllers 71-64 to grab the last berth for third place knockout game of the open non rated inter-commercial category. Jologs managed to out run Sames Pest Control in the last 45 seconds of the fourth quarter. Sames Pest Control with Ronald Batarao tried hard but failed to get much support from teammates. Jason Villanueva was top scorer with 17 points for Jologs while Ronald Batarao scored 26 points for Sames Pest Control.
Game 1 for the best-of-three championship series between Seiko-Electro Industries and Fitaihi Jewellers will be played this weekend together with the Al Arabi Décors and Samba Speedcash for the inter-commercial open non-rated division. Games will start at 6:30 p.m.
This 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.
The scores:
Westin Hotel - 68: Gatchalian 22, Pordan 13, Fuentabella 11, Villaluz 8, Sulit 5, Daoud 3, Llanes 2, Bucalig 2, Samparada 2. Al Badr Hotel - 55: Garces 15, Almoite 11, Brian 10, Gabriel 7, Eria 6, Magnaye 6.
Jologs - 71: Villanueva 17, Dred 13, Alily 13, Panti 12, Diaz 10, RJLyn 4, Samartina 2. Sames Pest Control - 64: Batarao 26, Capuzo 12, Malinao 11, Pamintuan 6, Havana 3, Agustin 2, Oriel 2, Malinis 2.
