RIYADH, 30 April 2004 — Mitsubishi Ex Factor downed Al Khorayef 81-71 in a battle of debutants but the highlight of the second weekend action was the high-profile match between Al Bustan Ready Mix and D'Disers in the Zahid Tractor Basketball Tournament Central Region First Conference 2004 "The 10th Cup" here.

The first meeting between two hot contenders ended in a 94-91 triumph for Al Bustan when Aris Palmero hit the go-ahead basket with 11 seconds left before Gantan sealed the victory with a split charity.

Blazers got the better of the host cagers 84-76 only to get beat by Ner's La Paz Batchoy 78-73 on their return to the Zahid Tractor court for a split of their first two matches in the 5-8 Below Reinforced season-opening tournament.

Peter Hernando hit 27 points for new team D'Disers. But another Bustan old reliable Jeff Salac shot 30 points, Palmero added 17 and Leodigario 16 to neutralize Hernando's efforts.

After getting the inbound pass, Palmero sank the basket that broke the 91-all tie and pulled Al Bustan to safety. Benedict Uy sent the pro-Disers crowd into a frenzy when he launched the shot for that 91-all deadlock in the last 72 seconds.

Against La Paz Batchoy, the Blazers were at the short end of the physical match. Fernandez led La Paz with 27 points, while Solomon added 16 and Llagas 10.

Mike Placino was all over the court hustling and scoring for Mitsubishi that picked up their first victory after taking command in the stretch of the tournament.

The sponsors in addition to Zahid Tractor & Heavy Machinery Co. Ltd. Central Province are Philippine Airlines through country manager Jun Ordillano, U-Tex Cargo through Tonton de Castro and Bison Energy Drink.

The scores:

Ners La Paz Batchoy (78) — Fernandez 27, Solomon 16, Llagas 10, Dayanan 9, Basilio 5, Natanauan 3, Narvaez 3, Reyes 2, Tayag 2. Blazers (73) — T. Reyes 20, Bacud 15, Agas 8, Cablar 7, Oronia 6, de la Cruz 6, Bacabac 4, Hicom 2, Dondoy 2. Halftime: 40-39.

Al Bustan (94) — Salac 30, Palmero 17, Leodegario 16, Pineda 14, Gablino 12, Gantan 3. D'Diser (91) — Hernando 27, Raf Semilla 15, Rom Semilla 15, Pineda 13, Terado 8, Uy 8, Fugaban 3, Santiago 2. Halftime: 50-47.

Games today: 6 p.m. — D'Disers vs Mitsubishi; 7:30 p.m. Al Khorayef vs Al Bustan.