JEDDAH, 19 April — Sadafco rediscovered its old deadly form and played with so much savvy and spunk as it beat United Naghi, 100-85, to level their United Yousef Naghi Open Basketball Classic best-of-three title showdown at the jampacked Hafil court in Jeddah.
In the inter-company open division, Binidayan Madalum lost high hopes of snatching their first championship for failing to show up in the second game of the best-of-three title series over BISA Solid North. Allegedly pressed for time and unsettled differences, Binidayan opted to effect their unprecedented move thereby declaring BISA Solid North as the champions. They also gave up the same championship prospect in the inter-Maranao division.
Outmaneuvered in Game One, Sadafco made sure they won’t be dragged into another draining game as it showed a lot of intensity to establish an early eight-point lead. They countered United Naghi’s trademark full-court trapping defense, with the tandem of Ronald Batarao and Darwin Domingo starring in the spurt that fended off United Naghi to come within a striking distance. Sadafco finished off the first half with an almost insurmountable 18-point advantage, 59-41.
Sadafco opened up the final half nervously but as soon as Batarao stepped up his menacing defense on Nap Solis and Domingo hounding the usually prolific Shihawi Sarip, they were off on a shooting rampage. Sadafco ran to a 14-4 swing and never really threatened from there. United Naghi’s other big guns in game one, Aaron Mayo, Rey Bautista, Rodjing Reyes and Louie Cailles, fell silent as Sadafco rode high on the exploits of Batarao, Domingo and the seldom used Albert Trinidad on the offensive end.
The inter-company bona fide knockout game saw Arab News proving it right that they deserved the seat by winning over fellow new entrant Al Bayt Décor, 67-60. Drawing a balanced scoring and defensive contribution from his starters, playing coach Sandy Dalit orchestrated a blistering 8-2 blast early in the first half to break the game wide open and killed the hopes of their opponents.
Even as Dimapatoy and Padua came out with sterling performances for Al Bayt Décor, Arab News used their killing instincts and never allowed their opponents to come closer than four points. The victory came as a sweet restart for Arab News, as they never reached the magic four positions in any of their previous partaking in different tournaments.
MFBA president Mitchell Hadji Omar has announced that the awarding of trophies and other prizes will be held at the Hafil court on April 25 (Thursday) right after the scheduled exhibition match that features the city’s known players. Expected to drop in to present the awards are prominent Philippine Consulate officials and United Yousef Naghi top brass.
