RIYADH, 19 December 2003 — Pacific Cargo subdued WRJ Cargo to gain the finals berth in the Inter-Commercial Basketball League while, Majeur5/R&E Sports, Pepsi X entered the Semifinals of the 5’8” and below category in the Inter-Commercial Basketball tournament held at the RKH Skydome.
Pacific Cargo 113, WRJ Cargo 94: Jeff Baybay, 6’4”, of Pacific Cargo led his team over WRJ Cargo with a sterling display that saw him hitting 25 points, pull down 10 rebounds, hit 8 block shots, grab 4 steals, and 3 assists. Dennis Almario contributed 29 points. Other players who joined Baybay and Almario in double digits were Julius Morales and Francis Aquino with 18 and 15 points respectively, Odie Torres, who was saddled with 4 personal fouls, had to be content with his 8 markers.
Pacific Cargo erected a comfortable but shaky 10-point lead at the start of the final canto. With a little fight left, the WRJ boys managed by William Jao, pulled themselves together with Gana, Gelilio, Ayson, Vitur and Esguerra, but were unable to stop the Pacific Cargo juggernaut. Rey Gelilio led all WRJ scorers with 25 points followed by Rod Ayson, who had 21 points, Vitur with 16 points and Gana, who had a miserable night, contributed 15 points to his credit. With the win, Pacific Cargo forwarders will now face Al Bustan team in a best-of-three championship round.
Majeur5/R&E Sports 93, Bombay 71: Leo Santos of the Majeur5 delighted with 18 points, 2 steals, a rebound and an assist to lift his team to a win, ending their elimination campaign with a 5-1 record in Group A, thus leading the group in the semifinal crossover knockout match. Majeur5 led by 21 points in the first half. Bombay fought gallantly, relying on their 1-2 combination of pointmaker Jay Soriano and flashy forward Robert Sinque, and managed to cut down Majeur5’s lead by 7 points by the third canto.
However, at the start of the final quarter, Majeur5 backed up by Leo Santos playing offguard, Richard Hadlucon and Dick Policarpio, acting as wingmen, and Boy Leodegario controlling the boards pulled away. Dong Bravo, Glenn Imuan, Jovan Roble, Vic Alves and Leo “Kobe’ Pateno alternated from time to time though maintaining the same offensive and defensive prowess.
Pepsi X 101, Al Qarawi 90: Toto Santiago topscored with 22 points for Pepsi X, Raffy Semilla scored 12 points, A. Delos Reyes, D. Galus 12 points apiece and R. Delos Reyes 10 points while fortifying a 4-0 win-loss record in the Group B. A. Bodiongan of Al Qarawi group, topscored with 40 points, Nick Cruz with 19 points, L. Penera with 16 points, Albert Albino, playing coach had 10 points, Cesar Esmeria with 5 points.
Riyadh Blue Eagles 102, Saudi Ericsson 86: Noel Basilio hit 42 points for Riyadh Blue Eagles, Lino Fernandez scored 25 points, E. Solomon 13, Art Polis 12 and J. Palce 10, while W. Vergonia of Saudi Ericsson scored 33, A. Andayen 20, Rudy Balambao 16 and D. Ibanez 15.
Al Othaim 83, Pepsi X 72: Penalla topscored with 17 points, Carpio, Javier, Vargas, recorded 14 points each for Al Othaim Power. Raffy Semilla scored 19 points, Toto Santiago with 17 points, B. Terado with 12 points for Pepsi X.
Al Othaim Power ended the elimination round with a 4-1 win-loss record thus placing their team in a triple tie with Pepsi X and Garnet Cargo in the Group B. Pepsi X and Garnet Cargo are ensured of the two semifinals slot, knocking down Al Othaim.
