JEDDAH, 26 September 2003 — Ittihad Sports Club is where most of the basketball spectators are queuing in every Thursday and Friday night, cheering for their favorite teams in the ongoing 9th Seiko-17th FBA Basketball Presidential Cup.
FBA’s Gil Manese thanked all the sponsors and participating teams for their active involvement in the event.
Second week games resulted as follows: Caffe Aroma mentored by Carmelo Olivar went home with the win at the expense of another neophyte team Afkar Promo Seven led by Romeo Villanueva. It was a ding-dong battle from the start till down the wire and the result (73-70) of the game was unpredictable up to the last minute of the game.
Emerging top gunners for Caffe Aroma were Dionson with 21 points, Cayabo and Cadungog with 13 points apiece and Calous (10) Only two players (Dalit 25 and Oliva 16) registered double digit figures for their team. Solid North of team manager Corlito Villanueva went on the rampage in their game against Pepsi team of Coach Johnny Dizon and team manager Essam Kamel.
And they won convincingly (91-79).
NAI-Juffali started poorly in the first 20 minutes against Hanco Maintenance but was able to turn the tables and was led by Edgar Ainza and Douglas Brown when the game ended at 101-98 in favor of NAI-Juffali after double extension (80-80) and another one at (88-88).
Ryan Cruz (22) and two new players of NAI-Juffali (Persia-19) and (Dones-25) helped their team emerge victorious.
Dr. Erfan Bagedo Hospital of Ademar Suson and Danny Leguins defeated Saudi Oger team of Mario Basilio (80-64), the latter missing the services of key players (Alvin Serrano and Edgar Pineda).
Bacotoc, Nap Solis and Cailles scored high for Erfan Bagedo, while only Santos registered a high score of 21 points for Saudi Oger.
Country Lounge & Cafe’s debut turned out to be a triumphant one when they beat the crowd favorite Bridgestone Tires of Amin Bahartha and Edgar Magbanua (87-82).
Seiko players of the game were: Dionson of Caffe Aroma, Vizcayno of Solid North, Dones of NAI-Juffali, Bacotoc of Erfan Bagedo Hospital and Dionisio of Country Lounge & Cafe.
