JEDDAH, 16 November — And so the men were finally separated from the boys, as United Naghi and Ganassi Union moved in identical direction to claim separate honors upon conclusion of the MFBA-Showlag Philippine Independence Basketball Cup at the ALJ court here.
The event has the full backing of the Philippine Consulate General, in coordination with the ALJ Sports Organization. Various companies have also a hand in making the event possible including Showlag Trading Est., Giordano Fashion, Basamh Trading Company, Eurodecor, Abujadayel Beverages Company, Al Haddaf Sportswear, Pioneer Allianz Insurance Group, Gandour Foodstuffs Company.
United Naghi, the lone undefeated team throughout the tournament, cornered the inter-company bona fide glory via punishing 87-64 victory over Al Yanabie Advertising in Game Two of the best-of-three championship series. Jols Pakkie, Nap Solis, Aaron Mayo, Louie Cailles and Rey Bautista were like commandos with orders to demolish and overran the enemy. They took turns in putting the game beyond doubt with precision shooting from all angles without confronting serious threats from their troubled opponent.
Rey Buhat, who provided the reins for Al Yanabie’s championship entry, hardly got a good look at the basket owing to Solis’ defense. United Naghi also pestered other Al Yanabie ball carriers with sustained double teaming and trapping defense and tucked the game away. “My boys are determined to win this one”, mentor Danny Lequin said after the game. “We share this honor to our company who has been supporting us all the way, Lequin added.
June Mabarit, with that wrecking ball of a power forward, scored 14 points for Ganassi Union to register an 87-79 victory over the taller Taqwa team in game two of the series and bagged the inter-company open glory. Both teams started it out neck and neck but Taqwa practically curtailed its offensive show and eventually bowed when Mabarit and the rest of Ganassi crew went up uncontrolled. Ibrahim Rongavilla and the towering Musa Richardson fought hard for Taqwa but their outputs were limited just behind Ganassi’s foremost.
Recipients of the inter-company bona fide division’s second mythical five awards were Rolly Sevandra and John Villavicencio-best guard, Leo Magpayo and Rodjing Reyes-best forward and Jols Pakkie-best center. The casts of first mythical five awards include Rey Buhat and Nap Solis- best guard, Rey Bautista and Aaron Mayo-best forward and Louie Cailles as best center. Nap Solis also claimed the individual sportsmanship award, while Jols Pakkie bagged the best rookie player plum. Team sportsmanship award went to AJWA team, while ALJ-Dora claimed the best spectator award.
Comprising the inter-company open division’s second mythical five awardees were Nonoy Guara and Abril Mabarit as best guards, Joven Batuhan and Barry Nader as best forwards and Banjo Sumampao as best center. The first mythical five awardees were Exan Dimaronsing and Nap Solis as best guards, Ronald Batarao and June Mabarit as best forwards and American Musa Richardson as best center. Adjudged best coach was Johnny Magalang, while June Mabarit claimed the highly coveted most valuable player award.
