ALJ-FedEx rises to 5-0, Kalmado stuns Falcunit in FCBL Basketball tilt

JEDDAH: ALJ-FedEx brought down Muhaidib 81-76 to stay unbeaten and move two games from a twice to beat edge in the semifinals while Kalmado pulled the rug from under fancied Falcunit with a 90-73 victory during the 12th week actions in the 1st FCBL Basketball Tournament at Sheraton Sports Complex court here.
Best Player of the game Villegas scored 23points including 10 in the fourth quarter, Lisztian Amparado added 20 and Llamado had 15 as Noel Sun’s ALJ-FedEx posted its fifth straight victory in Division B (Group of Star Studded Teams) in this inaugural event of the Filipino Community Basketball League.
The defeat dropped Muhaidib to 3-2 win-loss record in a tie with SMDC, an 85-77 winner over Panino’s-Uncle Majid.
SMDC went on to notch a weekend double after its Division A (Group of Powerhouse Teams) team hammered out a 93-80 triumph over Syriana IKK 93-80 in the week’s headline game Friday.
The result put the sides level at 2-1 in the double round robin division where the
top two teams go straight to best-of-three championship series.
Impressive in its first two games against Tamimi and Kabayangents, Syriana of Hassan Zeineidin was made to swallow the bitter pill of defeat by SMDC that got huge lift from the duo of Best Player Rey Razon and Morsi Akad, who both finished the night on 23 points. Christian Guimpatan was the other player to score twin digits for SMDC on 11 points.
Karmo, Ajman and Jasuma tallied 19, 17 and 14 points for Syriana who were outscored by SMDC in the middle quarters 26-9 and 33-27.
In dealing Falcunit a surprise defeat Kalmado drew double-digit scores from Barry Nader 26 points, Best Player Balderama 24 and Villegas 22.
It was the fourth win in seven games for Kalmado in Division C2 (Group of Bae’s Teams) while Falcunit dropped into a tie for the lead with idle Yummy Yummy on 5-2.
Division C3 (Group of Wannabe Teams) had leaders Jeddah Hilton and Brawlers picking up contrasting victories. Jeddah Hilton downed Tripol Ace 85-72 while Brawlers won by default over Sofitel Hotel. Both at 5-1, Jeddah Hilton and Brawlers are set to reach the knockout rounds of the tournament that winds down to its final month.
Another C3 hopeful, Dabarkadz, defeated Gulf Taleed 70-63 for an even 3-3 card.
Elsewhere, Jollibee got past The Legends 83-75 in C1 (Group of Fast Rising Teams) and Rimmel beat Olive Arabia 63-54 in C2.