RIYADH, 14 February 2006 — Jamil Mangotara became a hero of Pangampong when his layup with 4 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and Marawian up by one point sealed a 97-96 win in a thrilling game in the Arab News Cup 2nd Friendship Basketball Tournament at the Yamama Hotel Sports Complex on Friday.
The diminutive Mangotara quickly drove to the basket for the crucial lay-up when the last buzzer sounded to seal their victory in the first game of the second round of the tourney.
Pangampong, which is composed of elite and towering players, proved their worth yet again even against presence of Fil-Am import for the opponent team.
It was not easy win for Pangampong. Mangotara was hoisted by his teammates and fans immediately after hitting what proved to be the winning basket.
“History repeats itself,” said the jubilant team manager Ansary Ali Disomancop referring to his first victory against Marawian.
Allan Cotongan finished with 25 points and 18 rebounds. Boyet Mangotara had 24 points while Bogie Dibaratun finished made 12 points and 7 rebounds.
As usual, Marawian started aggressively in the first quarter were Jamil and Omar Asmad fired back to back triples for a 33-18 lead. The game was not without a touch of drama when Pangampong center Abdulrahman Santiago was ejected from the game for an intentional elbow on Amer Treyes.
Pangampong were still unable to find their composure and seemed to have no answer to the strength of Marawians who increased their lead to 16 points on back-to-back triples by Omar Asmad and Asnor Manabilang in the second quarter. Pangampong used a foul-bating strategy in the third quarter that left the six- man squad of Marawian in foul trouble. With each of them with 4 fouls Marawian failed to execute a strong defense against the tough and quick Cotongan and Dibaratun who controlled the offensive and defensive rebound.
Pangampong pruned the deficit down to 9 points after the third quarter due to the duo of Boyet and Jamil Mangontara hitting 3-point shots.
In the fourth quarter, the jampacked crowd grew excited when both sides started exchanging 3 points shots. Jamil was re-charged during the early start of the last quarter firing three successive triples and Asmad of Marawian still able to answer with two triples also.
Surprisingly, Pangampong point guard Akeel Musor came to the rescue only in the fourth quarter and fired 2 back-to-back triples that made the first ever deadlock 76-76. Since then, Marawian committed a lot of turnovers due to pressure and avoiding committing foul. Mao Radia of Marawian did his best with 17 points but ejected for five fouls he had committed. Jamil successfully fired two charities in less than a minute remaining but Asnor Manabilang answered an excellent assist to Treyes that was converted to a layup for 2 points.
Now all the five -man strong lineup of Marawian were having 4 fouls but lost the opportunity to win the game when Jamil lost the ball in the last four seconds. The game ended with unbelievable layup by Mangotara in spite of tight defense.
Omar Asmad led Marawian with 38 points including 6 triples, while Asnor Manabilang had 20 points and six assists, Jamil 15 and Treyes 10 points.
