RIYADH, 25 January — The 7th match turned lopsided last Friday at the open basketball court of Euromarche. The Warriors spanked GAMA at a final score of 80-59. Sultan continued routing their opponents and remained undefeated in five games. Last week, they lambasted defending champion LSS (formerly SWU Cagers) at 83-62.
GAMA stood gallant against the blitzkrieg attack of the Warriors on the initial half of the first match. The tandem of Manalo and Morada fiercely fought against the ferocious Warriors. The duo’s incredible drives and corner shots were unfortunately checked by the warring Constantino, Zapata and De la Cruz, who staged unprecedented teamwork and power plays. The Warriors took the upper hand by 14 points (44-30). On the final half, the Warriors solidified their team play and increased their lead. GAMA remained adamant to surrender. Ronquillo and Perez unleashed jump shots at the 45-degree angle but failed to hold their crumbling defenses on the last three minutes. GAMA lost the steam from then on until the last tick of the clock.
In the second game, Sultan first stringers Farnal, Bautista, Soriano, Antones, and Abdullah Ibnu lambasted the squad of the defending champion LSS (formerly the SWU Cagers), and took advantage of the poor, lack-luster showing of the latter’s line-up. Sultan never gave LSS chance to cut the lead to as low as 10 points after three minutes of play. Since then, Sultan never looked back. Their bid for the championship crown remained undefeated in five straight games.
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The scores: Warriors — 80. Constantino 21, Zapata 18, de la Cruz 17, Payumo 8, Javella 6, Galang 4, Saminado 4, Dimaapi 2. GAMA — 59. Manalo 25, Morada 19, Ronquillo 7, Perez 6, Casin 2.
Sultan — 83. Farnal 20, Bautista 18, Soriano 14, Antones 10, Abdullah Ibnu 7, Solier 6, Carreon 6, Lobo 2. L.S.S. — 62. Pineda 24, Reyes 9, Castalloni 8, Albina 6, Jordan 6, Occena 4, Sajuaga 4, Carreon 1.
