JEDDAH, 7 December — Reza Investment swept COCG 2-0 in their best-of-three title showdown last Friday to retain the championship of the inter-company (bonafide) weak teams category of the PEBA-New Balance Open Basketball Tournament. This is the second straight PEBA title for Reza Investment.
In the other championship series, open non-rated division, Taiwan Sports waylaid Edith Fashion 88-74, while Al-Tayyar outplayed Shaheen Ulker 78-68 in Inter-Company Strong Teams category. Taiwan Sports and Al-Tayyar can wrap-up the series if they win on Thursday. As earlier reported, the awards ceremony of tournament will be held on Dec. 7.
Healthlines Sports, distributor of New Balance shoes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the main sponsor of this tournament. Minor sponsors of the tourney are Pioneer Allianz Insurance Corporation, CMS International Cargo, Al-Hussaini & Company, distributor of Seiko watches in Saudi Arabia, Pinoy Sports, Al-Ain Water, Pepsi-Cola International, Farnas Cargo Services, Achiever’s International School-Jeddah, Jamjoom Foremost Dairy Company, Hempel Paints, Tropicana Restaurant, Papa Johns Restaurant, Al-Hejaz Cargo Services, Singapore Airlines, and Felora Cargo and Freight Services-Manila.
The sweep by Reza Investment was considered unlikely after COCG played them hard during the first game of the series. With Luadencia and Nuesca hitting and 18 and 15 points apiece, COCG led Reza 41-33 after the first half. But Reza Investments’ Viscayno found his touch in the second half, scoring 24 of this 34 points to lift his team to a hard 83-73 victory.
In the second game, Reza Investment jumped the gun on COCG with Ostonal in the firing end. From a close 36-27 half-time lead, Reza Investment rip the game open as Viscayno joined Ostonal in the second half rampage. They also put the cuffs on Luadencia, and with him just scoring six points for the entire game, Reza Investment coasted to a convincing 86-65 victory.
Taiwan Sports (non-rated division) used a balanced scoring to outgun Edith Fashion. The trio of Rongavilla, Tejada and Jun Mabarit broke the backs of Edith Fashion. Rongavilla controlled the shaded area to score 15 points, Jun Mabarit, making up for the absence of his brother Avril, poured in 14 points (including 3 treys), and Tejada added 10 to post a commanding 45-22 lead. Mabarit went on to finish the game with 22 points, Tejada with 20 and Rongavilla with 19 points respectively. Edith Fashion’s Beltran and Batuhan tried to battle back but their efforts (23 and 21 points respectively) couldn’t contain the rampaging Taiwan Sports.
In the Bonafide, Strong Teams Category, Al-Tayyar showed why they are a shoo-in to repeat as champions as they are the favorites by sinking undermanned Shaheen Ulker 78-68. Jun Mabarit and Torres provided the scoring sock for Al-Tayyar by tallying 20 points apiece in an easy victory. Their effort negated a game high 37 points by playing coach Arnel Tablante of Shaheen Ulker. But as shone by Al-Tayyar sports, basketball games are won through team effort. Aside from Mabarit and Torres, Lumactud added 14 points to the winners.
In a consolation game, Arabian Gulf Manufacturing grabbed third place (2nd Runner-Up) in the Weak Teams Category by ripping Al-Tayyar 69-59.
The scores: Reza Investment 86 (Champions) - Ostonal 25, Viscayno 14, Perez 11, Ricardo 10, Encila 7, Danganan 6, Ravanilla 4, Hatem 4, Jabonete 2, Paredes 2. COCG 65 - Dumot 28, Nuesca 17, Montalbo 6, Laudecia 6, Ariola 4. Uyfetilla 4. Taiwan Sports 88 - J. Mabarit 22, Tejada 20, Rongavilla 19, Malinao 12, Belarmino 8, Morales 6. Edith Fashion 74 - Beltran 23, Batuhan 21, Torrente 13, Rosales 5. Al-Tayyar 78 - J. Mabarit 20, Torres 20, Lumactud 14, Reyes 7, Dayoan 7, Valde 6, Ochoa 4. Shaheen Ulker 68 - Tablante 37, Nelson 13, AJ Marcelino 7, Leo 2, Alex 2. Arabian Gulf Manufacturing 69 - Mercado 19, Vergara 15, Largo 12, Hasheem 8, Bayotas 6, Valdez 5, Victoriano 5. Gegipa 18, Saludes 13, Portales 12, Corbihon 4, Patron 4, Ancheta 2, Sayson 2.
