RIYADH, 19 September 2003 — The King Khaled International Airport Basketball Association (KKIABA) 2nd Inter-Company (Bonafide) Basketball Tournament commenced with the host team KKIA-IAP Blue Eagles, Saudi Oger, Ltd. and the Zahran Company teams making early progress.
This tournament will be played every Sunday, Thursday and Friday at the KKIA Supervisors’ Camp, Riyadh.
Tournament Chairman Rene Tating confirmed the participation of nine teams headed by Meed Convenience (comprised of Pizza Hut cagers), Zahran Company, Saudi Oger, Ltd., Jeraisy Steelcase, Alissa Motors, Mitsubishi Company, Dynarabia Company, KKIA-IAP and Kudu Company.
KKIA-IAP vs. Alissa: Alissa opened the show where Ian Latog, Allan Valencia, Ruel Ubalde, Hernane Gonzaga and Sheldon Banares showed strength and held the host team with 12-1 advantage and finished the first canto with 24-12 in their favor.
But the host team clamped down on Alissa team’s offensive power through the efforts of Asst. Coach Ed Candoy boys Rudds Abella, Francis Oprenario, Ming Maningas, Noel Ramos, and Randy Cepe concluding the match with 74-69 team scores in their favor.
Saudi Oger, Ltd. vs. Mitsubishi Co.: The Saudi Oger squad pulled away to a 43-24 lead during the first 20 minutes of the game with Edgar Tayag, Allan Lagman and Celso Aguinid combining points and showing strength in their defense.
Mitsubishi’s Constancio Delis, Richard Gonzales, Ronald Portento’s sticky defense could not stop Saudi Oger cagers and the trapping defense employed by Coach Rey Day paved the way to a 49 points margin game, 92-43.
Zahran vs. Alissa: Ace cager Ian Latog of the Alissa released his arsenal to power his team to the win column.
He finished with 33 points, but Zahran’s trio of Jess Ritualo, Choie Urdaneza and Benjie Enriquez too delivered the points to put their team on top at the halftime 40-33, before racing to an emphatic 100-52 win.
