Samsung tops first round in 1st LBC-Liga Pinoy Basketball Tournament

Samsung closed out the first round eliminations unbeaten at 4-0 in the Open Rated Division in the 1st LBC-Liga Pinoy Basketball Tournament at Ahmad Khaki Sports Complex (Orca) basketball court on Tahlia Street here.
Last Thursday, Samsung went from strength to strength, leading by as many as 25 points to trounce Waleed Khattab’s Egypt Selection.
The week before Samsung won a tight game against Jeddah United in what could well be a preview of the championship in the centerpiece division of the tournament.
Samsung coach Gary Santos who seemed to have an issue closing out opponents in end game situations heaved a sigh of relief after his team escaped with a 71-69 victory over Nadeem Al-Sultani’s Jeddah United squad on a buzzer-beater by De Joya.
With the score tied at 69 Samsung inbounded the ball with 6 ticks left in the game. De Joya scored underneath the basket with 3 seconds to play on a feed by the driving Ron Magat.
Mursie Akad top-scored for Samsung with 21 points and was named Best Player of the game. Magat added 18 while De Joya had 12.
It was a double whammy at the weekend for Khattab after his side took a 100-92 defeat by Ghadeer Lanao Lakers.
Back-to-back threes by Diego Domalogdog and Barry Nader took the pressure off Ghader as it seized the lead for the first time at 90-87 with 2:22 to play after Egypt had led by as many as 12 points.
Though the team was not complete Egypt gave Ghadeer a tough competition. But Ghadeer failed to sustain its grip on the game in the middle of the fourth quarter and two free throws by Yoyong Akmad gave Ghadeer a 95-87 lead. After a basket inside by Khattab Tom Basa put away the game for Ghadeer with a three-pointer 98-90 going into the last 38 seconds.
Elsewhere, Sibuconians enjoyed a weekend double beating Smaland Ikea 86-73 and Aleena 71-67, Red Sea Kings gained a split, beating Aleena 94-85 but losing against Ikea 68-64, while Makah Tamabayans defeated Arabian Eagles 70-68.
LBC Express Inc. is the major sponsor of the tournament. Bryan Javier, LBC-KSA marketing specialist, helped facilitate the sponsorship.
The minor sponsors are Toyota, Mobily Globe, CEO & X Perfume of Rannie Basanta, Samsung through Muhaid Osman, promotion and development manager, Alicafé and Dole of Multibrands Al Ghadeer Al Arabia of Sheikh Jamal.
The BRG (Basketball Referees Group) of Lito Dela Cruz is in charge of the tournament officiating.