RIYADH, 9 May 2004 — Take a bow, WEMOWA-Extra for a job well done.
Going full throttle in the most important match of their storybook campaign, WEMOWA-Extra scored an emphatic 82-77 victory over Rockland Friday to complete an eight-game title sweep in the first Mindanao Overseas Workers Friendship Basketball Tournament for the Arab News Cup here.
At the end of the sudden-death final watched by a packed crowd at the Riyadh Sheraton Hotel & Towers court WEMOWA-Extra erupted in jubilation, savoring the triumph that was the fruit of hard work and determination in the groundbreaking event organized to promote camaraderie, friendship and unity among the major tribes of the Bangsamoro people.
Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled A. Al-Maeena specially came down from Jeddah for the awarding ceremony. He was accompanied by Riyadh Bureau Chief Raid Qusti.
“It’s always a pleasure for us at Arab News to support activities by Filipino groups be it in Jeddah or Riyadh,” Al-Maeena said.
Al-Maeena, assisted by Qusti and organizing committee chairman Abdul Hannan Tago, presented the prizes to the top team and individual performers in the tournament.
WRJ Cargo demolished Odyssey 104-82 in the knockout battle for third place. Dino Ampaso scored 32 points to pace WRJ, while Mangotara added 24, Miraato 16, Akel Musor 11 and Landas 10. The Filipino Confederation of Basketball Referees (FCBR) led by president Alex Sanchez officiated the games including the championship match that was handled well by veteran refs Nestor Carlos, Ernie de la Cruz and Julio Caringal. Arab News is the major sponsor with Power Horse energy drink and Manila Plaza as cosponsors.
The irrepressible Abdulgafur “Jordan” Ibno was at his crowd-pleasing best, showing all and sundry that he is in a class of his own to lead Extra with 20 points.
His backcourt partner, Jun Jun Mohammad, also lived up to expectations with 15 points and his contributions were rewarded with an MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.
Abao, who along with Misuari, Abubakar and Indasan, make up the so-called Extra Four Towers, made 16 points.
Extra jumped out to a 12-0 lead and had the game well under control behind a well-run offense and a bodacious defense.
Tiny Omar Adam joined Ibno in tossing three-point bombs that just killed any potential rally by the overmatched Rockland squad.
That was the stretch when Extra went on a 16-5 tear that all but decided the game, 82-62 with 2:15 to play from a 66-57. Extra then relaxed to set the score to what it was at the end. Before the final game, Extra had won three games in the semifinal and four in the eliminations.
Following is the list of team and individual awardees:
Team - Champions team WEMOWA-Extra, First runner-up Rockland, 2nd runner-up WJR Cargo, 3rd runner-up Odyssey, 4th runner-up Greenland, 5th runner-up SACO Hardware, 6th runner-up Rio Grande 7th runner-up Team Falcons, Best team in uniform Al Omar, Most Sportsmanship team Pacific Cargo
Individual – MVP Jun Jun Mohammad (Extra), First Mythical Five Mohammad, Best Guard; Rashid Mangotara (WRJ) Best Guard; Boggie Dibaratun (Rockland) Best Forward; Farid Badawi (Odyssey) Best Forward, Khalid Misuari (Extra), Best Center; Best Coach Sagon Ballaho (Extra); Best Team Manager Deen Mohammad (Extra); Most Discipline Player Kamar Hayle (Odyssey); Best in Steal Abdulgafor Ibno (Extra); Best in Block Shot Aliasa Miraato (WRJ); Best in Rebound Bonie Lidasan (Odyssey); Best in 3 Points Roland Bani (Rockland); Highest scorer Mohd. Yasin Ameril (Odyssey); Second Mythical Five – Selaini Macapaar (Rockland), Dino Ampaso (WRJ), Mohd. Yasin Ameril (Odyssey), Omar Adam (Extra), Amin Ali (Greenland).
