ALKHOBAR, 21 February 2003 — Sipco-Finex finally tasted their first win against the depleted El-Salama Radiators trouncing the latter by 18 points in a low-scoring ballgame, 67-49, in the OFW Congress Open Basketball Tournament held at the Al-Ittifaq Sports Club.

Vedasto sunk 15 points followed by Rosas and Rosario contributing 11 and 10 points, respectively, to give Sipco-Finex its first victory. Coaches Edwin Malana and Jojo Dar were all praises of their boys. “We dedicate our victory to the Sipco-Finex management for their all-out support to the team” Malana said.

Mohammad Ho scored 19 points en route to an IPSA Parents win downing the listless NESMA 83-64. Adjudged as the Chowking Best Player of the Game, the veteran Ho led his team from the first quarter down to the final buzzer to clinch the victory.

For NESMA, it was a one-man show from the fiery Rene Manuel. M.M. Mojil finally barged into the winning column by outplaying Al-Jomaih Cadillac squad, 91-83.

Mojil’s red-hot Eleazar scored a season-high 31 points to post their first ever win. It was a close battle from start to finish until Eleazar turned the tide into Mojil’s favor.

Al-Jomaih’s Lucero, who single-handedly carried the team during the thick of the fight, scored 26 points Eleazar received the Chowking Player of the Game award. Phuket Cagers redeemed themselves from last week’s loss by thrashing the unbeaten Saudi Beds Relax, 82-72.

Rizalia sanked 23 points to lead Phuket for their third win against one loss. The trio of Rizalia, Acoba and Silen scored a combined 54 which silenced the guns of their Dammam-based rivals.

De La Cruz of Saudi Beds was also unstoppable by scoring 32 points. General Dynamics kept their unblemished record by subduing Sadip, 93-81.

This is the fourth win in a row for the Haradh-based team General Dynamics had four players in double-digits with Bautista leading the pack by 28 big points followed by Bauyon 23, Dauz 18 and Edades 14.

For SADIP, it was Mampusti, Sidayen, Vicente and Aklan who spearheaded the resistance on GD’s excellent game.

Revitalized Fluor Daniel scored another impressive win at the expense of Al-Jomaih Cadillac, 86-69. Glenn Abrantes was again on top of his game scoring 23 points with inside plays and lane penetrations.

A. Palima who just joined the team after an injury, proved his worth by scoring 11 points on his first outing. Aside from Abrantes, other Fluor-Daniel scorers were R. De Asis 13, M. Tudor 10, R. Piguing and John Mateo with 8 points each.

Al-Jabr Nissan stole a very important win over luckless Vita Arcan, 66-60. It was Melchor Pascua’s show all the way, notching 22 points and receiving the Chowking Best Player of the Game Award.

Pascua provided the much needed firepower by keeping Vita Arcan at bay in the dying seconds of the game. He was also effective on both inside and outside the painted area.

Pascua was ably assisted by Sammy Mallari and Alex Bautista who had a combined score of 27 points. For the Vita Arcan team, it was the duo of Papag and Manalo who single-handedly carried the scoring cudgel but Pascua and company proved too strong for them.