JEDDAH — Seiko-Butler beat UPC 71-58 for third place in the inter-company bona fide division in Seiko-JBLIC year 2002 basketball tournament played at COCG basketball court here in Industrial City State Phase 1. Seiko-Butler displayed organized basketball during the game. UPC tried to contain the defensive wall of Seiko-Butler but lost their way in the fourth quarter. Seiko-Butler with playing coach Robert Maranan manning the offensive trust in the fourth quarter applied the run and gun offense to outscore the tired UPC Warriors. Arce topscored with 26 points for Seiko-Butler while Urbano and Manaois scored 15 points a piece for UPC Warriors.
In the next game, Giordano Fashion defeated Jedac Impact 87-85. Both teams displayed excellent basketball skills during the encounter. Jedac Impact managed to control the first half of the game with 47-38 score. Giordano Fashions bounced back in the third quarter with 28-17 run and took the driver’s seat with 2 points lead. In the resumption of the fourth quarter, scores kept changing sides and with only 2 seconds remaining in the game clock with Giordano Fashions ahead by 3 points. Bragancia of Jedac Impact unleashed a three-pointer desperation jumper, the ball went in to extend the game into overtime. Jedac Impact did not finish the game due to foul trouble and Giordano Fashions took the third-placed trophy. Alipio and Apolinario scored 22 and 21 points respectively for Giordano Fashions while Monteza topscored with 20 points for Jedac Impact.
In Friday’s game, United Carton took 1-0 lead in the best-of-three championship series with a 76-66 victory over Kia Motors in the bona fide category. United Carton came to the court well prepared and planned well how to stop the MVP candidate Tancio of Kia Motors who average 30 points a game. United Carton alternately applied a leach like defense against the main man of KIA Motors. The plan paid well for United Carton as they contained Tancio for only 13 points. KIA Motors tried to give Tancio a pick and roll game but United Carton immediately applied a switching defense to Tancio. Veneracion topscored with 21 points for United Carton.
In the next game, Basahm-Goody defeated FFP Sunbulah 89-88 to grab the 1-0 lead of the best-of-three championship series for inter-commercial open non-rated division. It was a ding-dong battle between the two ballclubs, both teams played well to the delighted crowd in the COCG basketball court. Basahm Goody managed to take a 5-point lead with 20 seconds remaining in the final quarter. FFP Sunbulah applied quick two points in offense to reduce the lead and a quick foul to stop the clock. With only 3 seconds remaining in the final period, Villanueva of FFP Sunbulah attacked the basket for the winning shot, the ball bounced the rim and went out as the buzzer sounded. Centeno and Jamahali scored 26 and 22 points respectively for Basahm Goody while Villanueva topscored with 17 points for FFP Sunbulah.
This tournament is principally sponsored by Seiko Al Hussaini & Company courtesy of Abdulrahman Al Husseini, Hussam Salahi and Mohammad Ali Taleb. Other companies supporting this tournament are Sigma Paints (Dannie Quaimbao), Alhamrani - Fuchs Petroleum Saudi Arabia (Azhar Iqbal), Giordano Fashions (MAK Jeelani and Ahmadullah), The Filipino Channel-ABS/CBN (Nonoy Velo), Al Haddaf Sports Wear (Mohammad Bayoumi), Fal - Lorenzo Cargo (Oscar Lorenzo), Arab News and Coop. Office for Call and Guidance (COCG).
Meanwhile, Jeddah Basketball League (JBL) will hold their second project for this year “The Inter-Commercial Open Non-Rated & Inter-Company Bonafide” basketball tournament which will be held on the 14th of June at the Bin Mafouz basketball court in Tahlia St. beside Sands Hotel. For registration contact Mohammad Rasheed Suyat - Mobile 053611016, Joe dela Cerna - Mobile 056622368, Juanito Magalang (680-8973) and Mohammad Bayoumi — 665-0086.
