JEDDAH, 20 June 2003 — With barely a month left, Al-Majal ServiceMaster, Samsung, Hanco Maintenance, Junastar Cargo Services, WRJ Freight Services and National Refrigerators are now leading in their respective divisions at the ongoing 8th Seiko-16th FBA Basketball Tournament at Sheraton Compound Basketball Court in Jeddah.
Al-Hussaini & Co. (Seiko) is the principal sponsor of the tourney through the kindness and generosity of Abdul Rahman Al-Hussaini, Hussam S. Salahi and Mohammed Ali Taleb. Samsung Electronics-UMG (Essam Abbas) co-sponsors the event together with Friesland Middle East (Rainbow Milk), Qatar Airways, Metito, ABS-CBN, the Filipino Channel, Giordano Fashions, Hempel Paints, Pepsi-Bugshan, WRJ Freight Forwarders, Jkunastar Cargo Services, Sky Freight Forwarders, CMS International, Nayong Pilipino Restaurant and Sports World Tailoring.
Last week encounters resulted to the following: Finetool Saudi Arabia came in strong and defeated Zuhair Fayez Partnership team (81-73). The first 20 minutes of play was tied at 39-39 all, but the ensuing 20 minutes of play spelled the big difference with the triumvirate of Dagohoy, Eufemiano and Tejada scoring a combined total of 66 points. Peredo, Gonzalvo and Taylor scored well for ZFP of Coach Leo Perez.
Arab News team of coach Boy Lucas and team manager Antonino de Guzman downed their rivals Dynarabia team of Jun Natad by two points, 70-68. “It was an uphill battle for Arab News, Erwin Arquero and Allan Togonon contributed a lot for our team that gave us another victory and hopefully to enter to the semifinal round. I hope that we will continue this kind of game said coach Boy Lucas. “Our opponent tonight was strong and had an advantage on height compared to our boys, but our boys do there job,” said asst. coach Ian Jaramel.
Hempel Paints of Mel Tienzo bowed to the stronger team of National Refrigerators of Gerry Acosta. (101-90). Rosales, Pakkie and Tejada were instrumental in National Refrigerators’ victory. Madlangbayan, Lor, Depante and Mercado played well for Hempel but to no avail. Samsung Electronics (UMG) tightened their grip and landed in the list of early semi qualifiers together with Al-Majal ServiceMaster of Ken Bautista who also demolished Gulfmaid team of Frank Reales and Renz Achacoso (78-63) in spite of the good scores of Suba and Hasem. Parohinog, Togonon and Avenido made it for Al-Majal ServiceMaster.
Hanco Maintenance of Coach Edgar Ainza and Jun Nieva defeated the Saudi ABV team of Felix Sarmiento (88-82) in a very exciting game. Coach Leo Rivera’s Unilever (Dove) posted their third victory in five outings and revived their chances of entering the magic four prior to the semis when they outscored Finetool S.A of Coach Silao and Herman Mallari (75-72).
WRJ Freight Services of Coach Jagg Malit emerged victorious over the boys of Coach Mel Tienzo of Hempel Points (94-80). Pineda topscored for WRJ Freight Services along with Garcia, Talastas & Santos while Balajadia converted 31 big points and Lor (20 points) for Hempel but to no avail.
Adjudged best players of the game and awarded 40 percent discount for any purchase of Samsung products were Eufemiano of Finetool S.A., Jojo Indal of National Refrigerators, Aristorenas of Samsung, Abril Mabarit of Hanco Maintenance, Parohinog of Al-Majal Service Master, Villegas of Unilever (Dove), Arquero of Arab News and Pineda of WRJ Freight Forwarders. This three-month long tournament is organized by the Filipino Basketball Association (FBA) headed by Gil Manese (president), Hernan Huerto (VP & commissioner), Raymond Caleon, Jr., Lando Santelices, Jimmy Narciso, Jeff Migano, Edwin Tullah, Teng Laglialam, Mike Maulana (all members of the staff), Osman (Sonny) Ismael, Ben Garcia, Mike Ali & Raffy Campiao (advisers).
