ALKHOBAR: They are undeniably the hottest team in town.
Until ARCC-EEI completed a grand slam never in the history of organized basketball in these parts has a team won three championship crowns in three different divisions — non-rated and two premier divisions — in a single conference.
Al-Rushaid Construction Company-EEI Corporation had clinched the non-rated division at the expense of Al Hoty Stanger, and the second trophy was won in League B-Premier Division by beating Fahd Alireza Engineering Consultants.
Friday night’s victory over Jologs in Game 2 of the best-of-three title series, 116-82, completed the most improbable championship runs in history and its biggest accomplishment ever after a mediocre start where it was almost beaten by the defending champion Fahd Alireza. They came back strong and beat the former champion, NPC, in the semifinals and won Game 1 over Jologs, 109-98, two weeks ago.
“Reaching this far is simply unbelievable. It’s beyond expectation and this means a lot to us”, said team manager Elmer San Miguel.
“We’re not here on sheer luck. We worked hard for it and I take pride that we’re the league’s best defensive team and this carried us to victory,” San Miguel added.
Fahd Alireza Engineering Consultants is the major sponsor of the 8th UFBF tournament. Mohamad Dossary Hospital, Edmark, Al Jabr Electroncis, Merex Forwarders, McDonald’s, Orbit-Pinoy TV, InterCon Hotel, ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel and Options and Concepts are the co-sponsors.
The undermanned Jologs was simply no match for ARCC and was really never in the game the whole match.
Missing the services of ex-PBA San Miguel Arnold Calo and former UST Growling Tigers Roel Asay, who are on long vacation in the Philippines, Jologs was flat and seemed to lack intensity.
In contrast, ARCC played with great resolve and determination. The teamwork, tenacious defense and high percentage shooting, especially in long range, hurt the Jologs five and never gave coach Leo Gines any breathing room.
Gener Porio, the wily, shrewd point guard jumpstarted the ARCC offense barely minutes at the opening tip, shooting 12 of his 20 points including two booming triples, while UAAP National University Bulldogs standout Jesse Mapanao connected two long-range shots and the towering Jefemil Khalili had 8 ending the first quarter 38-20 to ARCC. Playing in front of company bigwigs, Mercado T. Magno, Romy B. Lazaro and Simon Elmer D. San Miguel, ARCC was even hotter in the second quarter with practically everybody making contributions.
