JEDDAH, 8 February — SPS-Kodak and Al Tazaj-Fakieh and won over their respective rivals to lift their first-ever championship crowns in the First Friday Morning Sunriser games organized by the Overseas Filipino Basketball League (OFBL) and Saudi TelCom Basketball Association (STBA).
Kodak under team manager Zakariah Ahmed, was visibly ready and hoping for its first-ever championship crown.
They came in full force, with sixteen of their maximum lineup geared up for battle, plus a horde of supporters cheering lustily for them and on top of it all, they have the championship banner waiting in the wings.
Likewise, it was the first-ever championship crown of any kind for the chicken specialist otherwise known as Al-Tazaj B-B-Q in all its eight years of basketball competition and the victory was even made sweeter as they battled host Saudi TelCom and won, 87-80. SPS-Kodak on the other hand withstood a late surge by Brutos to prevail 100-96.
Pablo Vizcayno of Al-Tazaj and Mike Cruz of Kodak won the MVP award while Tom Forte and Eric Briones copped the best coach accolade in Group A and B respectively.
At the awarding ceremony held at Al-Nuzhla gym, Allan Beltran at guard and Bogard Tizon at forward for Al-Tazaj while Saudi Tel’s trio of Rod Samson (center), Raffy de la Cruz (forward) and Cesar Medina (guard) were named to the 1st Mythical Five in Group A.
The 2nd Mythical Five consisted of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Daniel Fernando and Dino Gallardo at guard, the Captain’s Mandy Astronomo (center), Rico Coronejo (forward) and STC forward Marlo Reyes.
In Group B, the 1st Mythical Five were made of guards Alfredo Bautista & Donald Dolloso and forward Simon Reyes of Brutos while Kodak’s Efren Javier and Cesar Ramirez were named best center and best guard respectively.
Rounding out the 2nd Mythical Five were best guards Raffy Panilag of Kodak and Roel Mercado of Gulfmaid.
