RIYADH, 1 November — The opening of the 2nd Riyadh Inter-School Basketball Tournament 2002 participated by five leading Philippine schools in Riyadh sponsored by PAL and Jeraisy Group of Companies with co-sponsor and hosted by Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers in collaboration with the Philippine Embaasy saw close thrilling encounters between the depending champions “Flying Dragons” of SPIS, coached by Ryan Francial overcome a strong challenge from the newcomer “Red Eagle” of RIS coached by Peter Dellosa 54/38 while IPSR “Growling Tigers” coached by Dennis Damayo humbled the “Orange Man” of MIS squad coached by Tom Dumrigue 80/37.

Minister Mariano Dumia and Jan Thomas C. van Opstal the energetic and sports enthusiast General Manager of Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers welcomed the distinguished guest and luminaries including the Vice Consul Germinia Usudan, Ataache Merle Ordillano, the five Principals of the participating teams, (in alphabetical order by the school) Teresita Aguila of Elite, Sinab Mabaning of IPSR, Yolanda E. Basa of MIS, Elsie Torreno of RIS. and Epifania Bagalawis of SPIS, Randy Assistin of Pizza Hut, Nestor Mirasol and Aldrin Alegria of Burger King, Jun Mendoza of Al Hokair Land Team Park with Louie Victor Lopez of Principalia and Mrs. Rowena Opstal, who composed the board of judges for the selection of Best Muse and Best in Uniform competition as well the jampacked expectators of teachers, students and basketball aficionados with Van Opstal tagalog “Hangad ko ang iyong tagumpay” which was applauded by the crowd .

The presence of Angel Pantoja of PUNO added vibrant to the event as master of the ceremony that welcome all the distinguished guests and crowds specially during the colorful parade of participating teams with their beautiful “muses” and multi colored uniforms.

The song and dances rendition of the students from IPSR and ELITE as well as dance number from RIS were very much enjoyed and applauded. The bouquet of flowers presented to the Muses and Best Uniform trophy was sponsored by Sheraton while the SASH was courtesy of SPIS and the committee snacks was from IPSR. Ronnie Huertas of ELITE coordinated the program propers.

The Flying Dragons clipped the wings of the tired Red Eagles who were playing like a well oiled machine. Red Eagles threw the full weight in the 2nd quarter behind the razzle-dazzle play of Julius Laya and Mark Tabotabo with Moke Tewolde and Roble Idriss on the rebound to outshoot the Flying Dragons and closed the 2nd quarter 28/27.

In the 3rd quarter, the Red Eagles looked well in control with 1.35 minutes past and not a single shot was recorded when the Dragons were finally awakened with the spit fire of Dax Rodil, Daryll Tanael, Mark Supangan, Daryl Raymundo and the fancy dribbler Ardan Arcega controlled the board for an 8 points lead at the close of the 3rd quarter.

A blistering exchange of baskets on both team at the start of the 4th quarter and the Dragons established the final scores 54/38 in their first match. In the 2nd game, the Growling Tigers of International Philippine School in Riyadh gave the big crowd an exciting match.

Honeyboy Bayabao got his first full exposure as a promising basketball “Star” player of Riyadh with his 21 points as Kester Trinidad,another promising basketball icons showed off his antics with daredevil lay-ups and rebounds and posted 22 points while Mark Agahan added 19 points.

On the side of the youngster Millennium, promising stars in the person of Mark dela Cruz and Dean Cerezo are the guys to watch.

Adrian Arcega of SPIS recorded the first 3 points for SPIS in the first game while in the second game was Dean Cerezo of MIS who won a gift courtesy of Pizza Hut and presented by Randy Assistin.

The scores:

Dragons 54; D. Tanael 12, A. Arcega 11, D. Raymundo 10, K. Pegano 8, M. Supangan 6, Dax Rodil 4, and M. Quevada 3 beat Eagles 38; J. Laya 18, D. Juco 8, M. Tabotabo 6, R. Idris 4, M. Tewolde 1, and P. Alegre 1. REFS: Mohd. Villamena and Rey Cruz .

Growling Tigers 80: K. Trinidad 22, H Bayabao 21, M. Agahan 11, K. Umali 8, A. Trinidad 6, F. Duero 4, J. Pundoma 3, M. Jambongana 3, and J. Ulger 2 beat Orange Man 37; D. Cerezo15, M. dela Cruz 10, C. Chua 6, Z. Calleja 2, B. Sebastian 2 and G. Baquiran 1.