RIYADH, 31 March 2005 — The Filipino Community Basketball League (FCBL) Inter-Company Reinforced Six-Feet Below Friday Morning Tournament commenced with Taipan-Cali and Benette Flash posting initial victories at the Jeraisy Staff Compound court on Exit 7 here. Peter Hernando topscored for Taipan-Cali with 22 points while Jack Hatin, Ador Aguinaldo and Leonard Lim chipped in with 16, 13 and 10 points in that order to guarantee their triumph against the Herfy of Ulyses “Ses” Morales and Angelo Andal. The scoreline was 81-58.
Both teams applied good defense in the early going and with Michael Constantino and Ariel Zabala getting good assists from Ike Arevalo, and Michael Tamayo broke the deadlock at the end of first half allowing Cali to take the driver’s seat. The efforts of Darius Cac to block Aries Sarmiento, the good penetration and assists by Joel Estoesta and Ernie Campo could not match the brilliant play of Julius Morales and Jayson Palomo which opened the door for Coach Jess Lumanog squad to win the match pulling away.
Benette Flash of Rey Perez and Dennis Almario got off to a good start to taste sweet success against the City Plaza team of Jojo Garcia, 103-61. The Flash cagers showed supremacy from the beginning with Bryan “Dodong” Cagas, Tom Bangilan, Jess Castillo, Gremson Treyes and John Flomentira spearheading.
City Plaza, on the other hand, through Junel de Leon, Jerry Mariano, Jeff Villanueva, Benard Taneo and Junel Gutierrez tried to narrow the margin but their opponent stuck to their guns and closed the bout with a big 42 points margin of victory.
This new league is organized by the FCBL and FCBR committees Ed Tamayo, Ernie Dela Cruz, Nestor Carlos, Joel Borre, Robert Pineda, Mohd. Villamena, Boyet Liboon, Greg Vasquez, Boy Jacinto, Rodel Lavarias, Rey Cruz, Pumar Quillo and Jhun Bautista. Alvin Mendoza is the games play-by-play announcer.
Joey Mallari of Magic Cream is the major sponsor along with RCBC-Telemoney through AVP James Oliver.
