JEDDAH, 24 May — The teams of Masa Pest Control, Strikers and Zuhair Fayez took separate steps toward building their winsome distinction in the scorching elimination rounds of the 9th ALJ Invitational Basketball Tournament at the ALJ court.
The event is organized and managed by the Jameel Sports Organization, spearheaded by Executive Director Jimmy Beltran and Commissioner June Gonzales. Other supportive JSO officers who helped run the tournament well include Arnold Perez, Celso Garcia, Jimmy Ong, Alex Miraballes, Rene Reyes, Noli Morales, Aladino Gregory, Ramon Manguera, Choy Josue, Jing Zaragosa, Estong Vargas and Ed Navarro.
Masa Pest Control bent its ire on PCC-ALJ, following a dismal loss over the unbeaten Dr. Soliman Fakeeh, with a convincing 94-75 victory. Gary Talastas, the most skillful from the roster of Masa talents, registered the league-high 43 points, with Pinpinio and Beldia chipping in 21 and 13 points. Delgado led the pains of PCC-ALJ but deemed helpless, attributing the loss to its green lineup that needs further nourishment.
The Strikers flashed their sustained brilliance in the endgame and eventually escaped from the brink of defeat with a nail-biting 76-75 rout of Ubhur Jamjoom. Over and again, it was the telling offensive and defensive trust of Nava and Castres that mattered most when they were needed to score. The duo reached double-digit figures and enabled the Strikers to secure the top position, standings 4-1, while their victim remained winless in five games.
Zuhair Fayez, the team that continued to harmonize their date with destiny, fashioned out another sterling performance to turn down Fujitec, 90-73. Zuhair Fayez blew an early eleven-point first quarter lead but posted as big a lead later on, thanks to the heads up play of Tiu, Tumale and the Umlas brothers and the steady underneath the boards leadership of Nebrida.
Dr. Soliman Fakeeh remained unbeaten to claim solo leadership in Group B, standings 5-0. Masa Pest Control and Budget Rent-A-Car stood alongside for the second spot with 4-1 record, while Zuhair Fayez and Sharbatly Coldstores finished third and fourth with 3-2 and 2-3 standings, respectively. Fujitec, ALJ-PCC and A. K. Amoudi remained at the bottom, standings 1-4, 1-4 and 0-5, respectively.
