JEDDAH, 26 April — The Jeddah Basketball League (JBL) in coordination with Jeddah Dawa Center opens the 1st JBL Friday Morning League at Bin Mafouz basketball court besides Sands Hotel.
Seven teams are participating in this tournament namely Jeddah Dawa Center, Jeddah Brotherhood, Gulf Royal Restaurant, Benehana Restaurant, Herfy Restaurant, Ultra Services and Osaka Restaurant. Games start at 6:30 in the morning.
The tournament format is seven teams for a single round robin elimination round then the top two teams will play the best-of-three championship series and the No. 3 and No. 4 will play a knockout game for 3rd place.
In the first game, Benehana Sixers beat Jeddah Dawa Center 60-56. Both teams displayed organized basketball. Benehana Sixers with brothers Jerrick and Mike Valio scoring in all angles. Jeddah Dawah Center tried hard to stay in contention but in the dying seconds committed a costly turnover and gave Benehana Sixers their first win. J. Valio and M. Valio scored 25 and 20 points respectively for Benehana Sixers while Dauoud Antonio top scorer with 20 points for Jeddah Dawah Center.
In the next game, Gulf Royal Restaurant defeated Jeddah Brotherhood 71-63. It was a seasaw battle between this two ball clubs. Gulf Royal Restaurant managed to control the tempo of the game in the first half. In the resumption of the second half, Jeddah Brotherhood regrouped and tied the score at 45-all when the third quarter buzzer sounded. Scores kept changing sides up to the last 3 minutes of the final quarter, Gulf Royal applied man to man defense and trapping defense that rattled Jeddah Brotherhood ball carrier.
A 6-0 blast by Gulf Royal Restaurant with one minute remaining gave them their first victory. Edwin Alcala was remained top scorer with 19 points for Gulf Restaurant while Mar scored 23 points for Jeddah Brotherhood.
