RIYADH, 14 December — Shib Al Jazeera Const. team of coach Edwin Sarmiento proved to be too good for the Cash N Carry squad of Manny Villasenor and Romy Gervacio after concluding a 29-point margin battle, 110-81 while the Luzviminda boys of Roger Bajenting hammered D’Firebird group, 77-72 on the fourth day of the Sita Cargo Services and 8th Contracting Est. 2nd Open Invitational Basketball Tournament being played at the 8th Contracting Est. Basketball Court, Riyadh every Friday from 7:00 a.m. onward.
This win put Shib Al Jazeera Const. team to a 2-0 win-loss record at the same time as the Luzviminda group collected their first win (1-1) record in their two encounters.
Ace cagers Jeff Baybay, Orly Alcantara, Jhun Farnal, Abel Carreon, and Bobby Garcia led the scoring spree of Shib Al Jazeera and worked hard to obtain a remarkable victory over the Cash N Carry team.
Not to be outdone Peter Hernando, Sandy Alaiza, Bert Ordonez, Dek Ladia, Junel Baybay, and Roland Abalos equally gave their full assistance to the defense of their team.
It was a seesaw battle during the first quarter where no one would like to give-in and it was a close fight match as the quarter concluded with 21-18 team score with Shib Al Jazeera on the driver’s seat as they continued to show their best and trailed a horrifying 52-35 score at the close of the first half.
With Cash N Carry fully determined to narrow the margin, Jojo Flores hardly struggle with his brilliant 41 points, Jay Ilagio supported with 15 points while Philip Reyes added 9 points.
It was a long trip and a strenuous run for the Cash N Carry cagers to derail the winning track of the Shib Al Jazeera Const. team and was in vain as the third canto ended with 78-54 still in the Shib Al Jazeera’s favor.
Coach Romy Gervacio did not easily lose hope and tried to re-group his ward and formulated a strong defense at the commencement of the final quarter trying to peep a winning slot but were all futile when towering Ver Ang, one of his precious gems fouled out in the remaining 4 minutes of the concluding quarter.
This opened the door for the Shib Al Jazeera cagers to fire their best devastating shots and sealed the match with 110-81 team score.
The Luzviminda team must be proud in obtaining the services of Jhun Soriano, one of the fine cagers in the Filipino Community Basketball Players List.
In their recent encounter with D’Firebird team, Jhun Soriano punched 22 points score leading his team with Jhun Reyes following with his 20 points. Both cagers fought gallantly as they helped post a brilliant 7-2 while closing the first quarter with 24-13.
Despite the big deficit, D’Firebird cagers kept their hopes alive and strongly struggled and withstood this crucial situation with Dom Bravo who had contributed 30 points, Nelson Castillo with 19 points, and Jeffrey Rivas added 13 points and almost succeeded in cutting down the lead to a very minimal margin, 38-36 at the first half end.
With high hopes of getting this match, D’Firebird cagers organized a strong defense as Dom Bravo and Jeffrey Rivas converted successive baskets inspiring Coach Zandro Herrera and almost made it when they managed to narrow the lead by a hairline at the middle of the third quarter.
But Luzviminda would not allow their opponent to take the lead when Jhun Soriano, Jhun Reyes, Gino Lapuz, and Ganie Baldomero worked hard and assured their team that they will taste the sweetness of victory while closing the match with 77-72 in their favor.
According to Rene C. Tapang, Sports Commissioner of this tournament, 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, Rentar Restaurant, and Luzviminda Speed Sports located at Manila Plaza, Batha Area through the kindness of Roger Bajenting.
The Executive Committee of the Sita Cargo Services and 8th Contracting Est. Open Invitational Basketball Tournament include: Rene C. Tapang — Sports Commissioner with Emil Rentar as the Chairman/Treasurer and Sammy Cid as the Vice Chairman.
Other officials are 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.
On the same venue, the next games’ schedule will be first game at 7:00 a.m. between the BLM team and D’Fire Bird Team while the second game will be at 9:00 a.m. between the Tokyo Sixers and the Riyadh Slashers.
The Scores: Shib Al Jazeera Const. (110) — Baybay Jeff 21, Alcantara Orly 16, Farnal Jhun 15, Garcia Bobby 14, Carreon Abel 14, Hernando Peter 13, Alaiza Sandy 6, Ordonez Bert 4, Ladia Dek 4, Baybay Junel 2, and Abalos Roland 1 beat Cash N Carry (81) — Flores Jojo 41, Ilagio Jay 15, Reyes Philip 9, Cabbat Amado 8, Ang Ver 6, and Rodriguez Cris 2. Referees: Robert Pineda and Greg Vasquez.
