Delta Water ends skid; IMC, Bahra Cables down rivals

Ballinan, Manalo and Fajardo finally got their game going in the tournament as Delta Water ended a three-game losing streak by downing Schindler in a breathtaking game 69-65 at the weekend in the Boy Teves Basketball Tournament organized by Overseas Filipino Basketball League (OFBL).
The tournament at Timeout Sports Academy gymnasium is being held in cooperation with Al-Zugbi Sports Tailoring, Pinoy Photographers Club (PPC), Amaia Land and Art’s Cuisine.
In an intense first quarter battle, Schindler looked determined to get its first win. Tilo and Pior had a back-to-back three to end the quarter with the lead, 15-13.
But the extra rice corporation member Ballinan and Espiritu retaliated with their offensive and defensive impressive rebounding prowess while Manalo was perfect from midrange distance shot to put Delta in the lead to the end the first half, 28-26.
Third canto became more intense as Tilo scored three consecutive baskets underneath and Mara hit a jumper to end the quarter 52-44 for Schindler but Delta Water maintained its composure. Macabenta and Sorino hit cold blooded three points and Rodel Fajardo eluded defenders late in the game to push Delta Water to victory.
Former Palarong Pambansa standout Nemitz Dangao was unstoppable and IMC breezed to an easy 89-69 victory against struggling Ibn Sina in Inter-Hospital Division.
It was a very important game for IMC and Dangao knew they needed to win in order to stay in the tournament that’s why he played without relief.
Prado and Escote really tried to match up Dangao’s team closing in to within five points in the first canto but Dangao and Nalagon had a monster game while Rasheed Al-Hassan manned the slot with authority as IMC asserted its superiority over Ibn Sina.
Ali “The Beast” of Mamoud Gharib made his presence felt inside the painted area and eluded all his defenders to help his team beat struggling Hidada boys 87-80.
The steel man Minoza was no match for Ali who really showed tremendous game to finish with 26 points and become the best player of the game. Ali got support from his two twin tower teammates Tudla, who was almost perfect from beyond the arc, and Sidlacan who shone on rebounding defense.
Reigning champion Toyota had its unblemished record in the tournament broken after a 64-61 defeat by the fired-up Bahra Cables squad.
GCT Batang Pier continued to thrive in cardiac games, winning 76-75 against powerhouse Al-Zamil for its sixth straight win.
Tawzea bounced back from its loss against Compass Ocean Logistics with an 85-84 triumph over Al-Zugbi team. The dynamite Robert Jhon Pupos was chosen best player of the game. PSI won another game against the struggling SAJCO 87-85 while Almarai also rebounded from its last defeat to score a 73-72 victory over new entrant Alishar 73-72.