JEDDAH, 20 February 2004 — KFNB Wartsila Lions proved too good for Al-Jazirah Ford in the second week of the BBSJ Basketball Tournament posting a 65-58 triumph in an exciting encounter.
Diminutive but speedy J.R. Sendon of Al-Jazirah sparked an early rally at 18-15 with some timely steals and quick drives to the hoops but veteran Marlon Garcia asserted his supremacy under the board as the Lions slowly clawed back.
Al-Jazirah managed to stay ahead 33-28 with the help of Maraya, who produced some brilliant moves with his acrobatic shots, but were grittily chased by the Lions. The fourth quarter saw several lead changes but Wartsila, with their best player Ramil Martin striking form to help them grab the lead 60-58. With less than a minute left, coach Abundo of KFNB instructed his boys to run out the time to prevail at 65-58. Ramil Martin was chosen the best player of the game.
In a Group A match, Al Majal kept their slate clean following their win against Strikers 80-71. Their player Tony Marguella was adjudged the best player of the game.
In another encounter, Al Zafer posted their second win in a row at the expense of Five-Six to win at 85-82. With time down to only 3 seconds and Al Zafer leading by one point at 83-82 in the final quarter, Pablo Viscayno of Al Zafer calmly sank the insurance basket at the 15 foot line to preserve their victory and also pick the best player of the award with 15 points output.
Meanwhile, Fikra dominated the Strikers in a lopsided game. They outrebounded, outgunned and outran their hapless opponents in a 73-56 massacre.
Bansil of Fikra showed why he was called “The Tower of Power” with his allround display of 13 points, 11 rebounds and 6 block shots that and earned him the best player of the game.
Islamic Education Foundation-Al Hamra gave away raffle gifts of wall clocks and key chains as goodwill gesture to all the players and participants of this friendship game organized by Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah under Chairman Rene Diaz and Chairperson Sports Committee Lisa Asetre. As expected, the Laguna Lakers prevailed over the IEF-Al Hamra team 78-61.
