RIYADH, 3 January 2006 — The playmaker of Alnao, Ja’ffar Laguindab, gave a spectacular performance during his team’s encounter against Kapatiran on the fourth week of the Arab News Cup (with Power Horse as co-sponsor) in the 2nd Friendship Basketball Tournament at the Al-Yamama Hotel Sport arena on Friday.
The morning games showcased slam-dunks from Pabona Ibrahim of Islam Today that helped drive up the score to 128-71 over Grandian, breaking a record that was earlier set by Marawian last Friday. Alnao’s performance was reinforced by the footwork of Renato Moussa, who inspired his team to play in a high spirit and making a debut in this tournament. He finished with 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds that helped Alnao score a 93-87 win over Kapatiran. Laguindab made 21 points and five assists. Sailani Macapaar scored 15 points, and made two assists and seven steals for Alnao before being ejected for committing five fouls. Eyeman Barambangan tossed in 10 points.
Kapatiran however displayed a good defense in the third quarter and made five steals and 10 points worth of fast-break baskets to land a tie-score. However, the Alnao coach called for a time-out to break Kapatiran’s momentum.
Ronan Marohom of Alnao came to the rescue and fired 12 points, including two back-to-back triples. He made all four of his free throws in the final minutes of the game. Imran Fagaura is still the leading scorer for Kapatiran, who finished with 25 points, while Darius Cac garnered 11 points and Isah Panti added 12 points.
Meanwhile, in the second game, the unstoppable Ibno of Islam Today played only until the third quarter and did his best six triples to successively score 20 points and two assists to help beat Grandian in their third straight victory, 128-71. Islam Today emerged with no loss in the elimination round thanks in part to Indasan, who poured 18 points. Pabona Ibrahim finished with 16 points, including four slam-dunks. Deen Mohammad however became a crowd favorite toward the end of the game, garnering 12 points in the fourth quarter. Grandian coach Kadafy Minalang admitted there were no opportunities against the towering Islam Today.
However, once again Mexican Abdulmalik excited the crowd several times by his showy, 360-degree gesture layups. Rolan Bani finished with 25 points, including four triples, while Tony Pario added 20 points.
Late in the windy afternoon, viewers filled the basketball court of the hotel. They were eager to watch another stunning match between Pangampong of the Central Mindanao and Desert Lion of WEMOWA, from the western side of Mindanao. With Pangampong trying to make their victory campaigns after a dominant win last week, they strategically fortified their defense while aggressively making baskets count in the first quarter ending 24-11 in their favor. They tried even more to make the same pattern, ending the second quarter, 46-24.
While all their players shared in their team effort to win the game, it was Pangampong’s center Kotongan who shined brilliantly by pouring in 24 points and snatching nine rebounds. Dibaratun and Paudac have also capitalized on their heights by grabbing seven and five rebounds respectively for Pangampong. Team captain Mangotara contributed 15 points, three rebounds and four steals, helping Pangampong claim their 89-56 win over Desert Lion.
Alex Sanchez and Leo Pulimar were the tournament’s referees.
The tournament will resume on Jan. 20 following the Haj holiday.
