RIYADH: Purok 12 Grandians LDS, Purok 13 Al Yusr and Purok 14 Willcors scored inspiring opening day wins in the Manggagawang Kapit Bisig (MKB) 14th Season Inter-Purok Basketball Tournament, Class A & B Categories at the Sunrise International School (SIS) covered court, Shemessy Area, Badea Road here.
MKB President, Robert Barretto, welcomed the participating teams, players, coaches, muses and guests during the opening ceremony headed by the Philippine Embassy Labor Attaché, POLO/OWWA Rustico Dela Fuente, Michel Ghattas & Ronilo Nafrada of Al Yusr Instalment Company and General Mohammad Al Sharari – Administrator/Owner of Sunrise International School.
Barretto acknowledged as well the untiring support of the Medical and Dental team of MKB on their 3rd year launching of their community outreach program whose members and volunteers provided free services to OFWs who attended the event.
Fourteen teams competed for the title anchored by Class A (5’10” below open height with reinforcement) – Purok 1 Al Marai Triangles, Purok 6 Leehan, Purok 7 Tatak Pinoy Sportswear, Purok 8 Tiger Paws, Purok 11 Hatco Selections and Purok 12 Grandians LDS. Class B (5’10” below without reinforcement) comprised Purok 2 PB Solar, Purok 3 Al Katkoot, Purok 5 Abana, Purok 8 United Motors “Dodge Challenger”, Purok 9 “D” Icon, Purok 11 Hatco Tech., Purok 13 Al Yusr and Purok 14 Willcors. Best uniform award went to Purok 12 Grandians LDS and Purok 14 Willcors for class A and B respectively while Willfellindree Fonbuena Perez of the Willcors team won the best muse award.
Defending champions Purok 12 Grandians LDS led by the trio of James Smith, Manuel Villanueva and Jalal Pondoma prevailed over Purok 8 Tiger Paws 114-80 scores. Opet Macalaba, Aries Palmero and Jaffar Laguindab provided the much needed support to the winning team who recorded the first three quarter scores with 22-14, 52-32 and 81-55. Cremson Treyes led Tiger Paws team with 15 points while teammates Cordio Padin, Russel Defiesta and Lino Fernandez added 13 and 10 points apiece.
The second match of the day featured new recruits by both teams. Purok 13 Al Yusr cagers played strong defense and offense and never allowed Purok 8 United Motors to taste the lead in an 85-61 final tally match. Marlon Bajamundi and Marlon Bruan finished with 14 points apiece for Al Yusr to close the initial period with 22-14 scores and 41-26 second quarter scores. For United Motors team, Patrick Fabro had 23 points while Bob Robert 18 points.
Final game of the day saw Purok 14 Willcors team seal their first win over Purok 5 Abana team with 85-77 scores in a first three quarter close encounter. Coke Cuerpo of Willcors finished a career-high 35 points and was unstoppable during the final period even with the tight guarding of Abana’s defensive cagers Rock Serdenia, Bodax Olayon and Zandro Herrera.
Al Yusr Installment Company represented by Michel Ghattas and Ronilo Nafrada was the sponsor of this tournament. The league enjoys the support of Sunrise International School Owner Mohammad Al Sharari, Hatco Company and Arab News.
