RIYADH, 20 June 2003 — Thaipan’s team effort and properly executed game plan helped trounce PNB team 97-73 in the quarterfinal of the Filipino Basketball League (FBL) held at the Khalda Sport Compound, Malaz area here.
The FBL is sponsored by Khalda Est. under the auspices of Khalid Al Awaji; ANB-PNB; Manukan Bakahan; Ice Cali; RCBC; Marlon Hernandez-Metro bank and Golden bird Cargo-Jimbo Corpus.
The Thaipan team under the leadership of veteran Diel did a great job in executing tough defense, quick points on the transition and converting charities. Leodigario who topscored for the Thaipan team, scoring 9 of his 24-point output in the first quarter, 12 rebounds, 2 assist and 1 steal in the game.
PNB who started well trailed Thaipan by 3 point at end of the third quarter. PNB felt the pressure early in the fourth quarter when their main players hit foul trouble. Manigbas and Hernaez who had 13 and 8 points respectively fouled out midway in the fourth quarter. Llagas, who only had 2 points in the game, also fouled out in the fourth quarter. Ruiz, who was also in the critical foul trouble range, led the PNB offense and topscored for the team with a 26 point output. Fernandez who had 10 points in the game was the only Thaipan player to foul out. The game was played defensively but the foul trouble took a toll on the PNB offense in the remaining 5 minutes of the final quarter. Leodigario, Diel, Fernandez and Nahil joined force to advance the lead to 24 points, 97-73 and seal their chance to meet the KKIA Metrostar in the semifinal round. Meanwhile the Metrostar team defeated IPA team in the other quarterfinal game. R. Hadlocon turned in a stellar performance and led the team with 32 points. Catalan and Sazon backed him with 21 and 13 points respectively. De Leon and Aquino led IPA team by scoring 28 and 20 points respectively. Metrostar dominated the game from the first quarter. The game had 3 technical fouls for IPA and a warning for delaying the game for Metrostar. The Metrostar won the game 110-76.
Scores: Thaipan (97) Leodigario 24, Nahil 18, Diel 16, Fernandez 10, Santos 9 Lapuz 7, Mendoza 6, Tobias 5, Nanud 2. PNB (73) Ruiz 26, Manigbas 13, San Diego 13, Dino 11 Hernaez 8, Llagas 2. Metrostar (110) Hadlocon 32, Catalan 21, Sazon 13, Dilao 11, Gantan 8, Abella 7, Zabala 7. IPA (76) De Leon 28, Aquino 20, Quilloy 10, Dolindo 7, Sepco 6, Quileza 2, Andoy 2, Lalata 1.
