RIYADH, 27 January 2006 — Pangampong took advantage of the absence of Marawian twin towers Asmad and Jaber to score a 77-71 triumph in a thrilling match in the Arab News Cup basketball Tournament at the Al-Yamama Hotel court here.
Last week’s matches marked the resumption of the tournament after a two-week break during the Eid and Haj holidays. In the morning match, Astah scored 24 points as Islamtoday.com trounced Obaidah to complete a sweep of their elimination round games.
Marawian paraded their first five without their centers Asmad, who was still on vacation, and Jaber who suffered an injury just a night before.
That forced team captain Manabilang, who scored a game-high 34 points including five triples to go with five assists, four rebounds and two steals, to make do with available manpower.
Up until the third quarter which ended 65-57 in Marawian’s favor Manabilang and Co.
appeared to be well in control.
The fourth quarter,however, was an entirely different story as Pangampong outscored Marawian en route to the victory. The absence of Asmad and Jaber was deeply felt in the final period by Marawian who were ran ragged by the hard-playing Pangampong.
It was Pangampong’s third straight win after an opening-day defeat by Filex boosting the team’s hopes of entering the semifinal round but then again it all depends on the result of the match to be played between unbeaten Filex and Marawian who tasted their first loss in the tournament. This was the third straight win of Pangampong after an only loss in their first game with Filex during the opening day of this tournament.
Cotongan led Pangampong with 24 points and 16 rebounds. Mangotara contributed 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while Jamil dished out 13 points for Pangampong.
The game between Al-Nao and Grandian was more of a friendly match. With Al-Nao assured of entering into the semifinal, they had the luxury of fielding their previously seldom- used players. Barambangan, Macapaar and Maruhom each contributed 13 points in Al-Nao’s 74-63 win over Grandian. Landas snatched 11 rebounds for Al-Nao.
Labaya of Islamtoday.com, the leading rebounder so far in the tournament, garnered 14 points, 12 rebounds and four steals, while Abubaker added 17 points and two assists.
Salem Badtingan, point maker and playing as center for Obaidah, couldn’t do much on defense since he has committed four fouls in the third quarter. Despite being foul troubled, he finished with a game- high 26 points and 7 rebounds while Tato Abbas contributed 13 and Eldison Samson 11 points.
Filex was declared winner by forfeiture over PNB who failed to dress for the game with a complete lineup.
—With input from Jam Umpat
