RIYADH, 5 September 2003 — Members of the Kudu team gave Coach Orly Casimero a brilliant game during his last stint as coach in this tournament by clinching game one of the best of three series against the Pizza Hut team, 79-77.
This championship round of the Jeraisy Group of Companies Inter-Company (Bonafide) Basketball Tournament is being held at the Jeraisy Staff Compound Basketball Court, Riyadh. Allain Catalan broke the ice and it was a 10-0 run for Kudu as the Pizza boys made the first conversion after 5 minutes of this quarter.
With the Kudu squad guarding tightly Joseph Abasolo and Nante Garcia, Coach Jojo Ben’s cagers managed to close the first canto with the upper hand at 18-12. Rey Sillo turned the tables as he opened the second canto and with Ador Aguinaldo and Aries Sarmiento sparked a 6-0 run for Kudu to set a series of deadlock.
The 3-point conversion of ace cager Dave Mallari broke the deadlock and both teams employed tight defense by not giving any chances to each other to get away.
But the Pizza makers got hold of the better end when Joseph Abasolo started to score with Ruel Tugade, Arthur Gabon, Larry de Guzman and Xandrix Babao did a great job against their foe with the scores at 48-40 in their favor at the close of the third quarter.
The final quarter saw, the Pizza boys lead continue to balloon in spite of Arthur Gabon being sidelined with injury. The Kudu cagers, led by Allain Catalan once more figured in scoring while Noel Sabordo made the best of his playing time to deliver Kudu’s needs and score was 62-61 with 15 seconds time remaining.
Guard Noel Sabordo knocked in a running shot plus a foul on Babao and converted the bonus shot opening the door for Kudu to lead 64-62.
Ruel Tugade ran the ball fast with 9 seconds left and handed to Nante Garcia who scored an equalizer at the buzzer forcing an overtime period. Kudu got the better off the charity line and won the game on Rodel Manalo’s split shot and with no time left registered a 79-77 win.
The Zahran team of Arnel Ardamoy and the Dunkin Donuts battled for the 3rd place where the former prevailed in spite of the fight shown by the Donut makers’ five Dick Policarpio (top scored with 31 points), Bebe San Diego, Ronald Solis, Vincent Estrada and Omar Sarandi.
Choie Urdaneza, Benjie Enriquez, Dingdong Urrutia, Anton Castaloni and Jess Ritualo headed the Zahran team’s encounter to secure an 88-75 win scores.
This league is closely coordinated by Riad Siblini, Ed Tamayo, Larry Gabuni, Ernie Dela Cruz, and being officiated by the FCBR Referees while Chito Solis served as the anchorman.
Powerhorse Energy Drink through the generous support of Ahmad Al-Haroun — Country Manager and Dick Jacinto — Sports Coordinator is the major sponsor of this tournament.
