JEDDAH, 26 April — Never before in the history of Filipino basketball in Jeddah that any team has won four consecutive titles in as many championship appearances. But now it can be told, as three-time inter-company bona fide champions United Naghi made it happen right in its own turf at the Hafil court where the United Yousef Naghi Open Basketball Classic took place.
United Naghi came up like a special commando with orders to demolish and overrun the enemy, using just one lightning speed and accuracy to corner their fourth inter-company bona fide title over Sadafco, 80-61.
Spiced up by the endless thundering applause from the boisterous crowd, United Naghi went full blast right at the opening buzzer and surged ahead, unbelievably unleashing a lethal 19-0 run that left Sadafco in awe what had hit them.
Nap Solis, Shihawi Sarip and Aaron Mayo are three of the cornerstones on which United Naghi is going to erect their future. The trio took care of the team’s firepower in that early stage of the game that was enough to ward off any attempt by Sadafco to resurrect. However, Sadafco remained hard nuts to crack, using their wholesome trapping defense to the hilt, and continued to mount several comeback attempts.
United Naghi quickly responded behind the same gems of Solis, Sarip and Mayo who provided the precious points that presided the team’s solid championship stand. Prolific Louie Cailles, sweet shooting Rey Bautista, Rodjing Reyes, Juls Pakkie and the rest of the United Naghi crew have also a hand in the win, with Solaiman Udasan assuming the tactician’s role in the absence of head coach Danny Lequin.
The loss was pinned entirely on Sadafco’s lack of focus during that lethal run in the early part of the game, where they were caught in surprise and never recovered despite Batarao and Domingo’s combined efforts. The duo produced 38 big points, with Albert Trinidad adding 12. Sarip and Mayo scored the bulk of United Naghi’s output, pumping in 25 and 20 points, while Cailles and Reyes added 12 and 10 points.
Angoyao International spoiled Unayan Greenland’s victory party, as they bounced back with a 67-59 victory to draw even in the scorching inter-Maranao title series. After engaging Unayan to a close fight in the first half, Angoyao came up strong with their usual stratagem midway in the final half and got big baskets from Orac Sarip and Exan Dimaronsing. The duo stole the limelight orchestrating the plays with fine blending of ferocious drives and rebounds that assured the win.
Unayan threatened several times behind the blazing guns of newcomer Yasser Marmay but his effort went in vain, visibly missing the services of Banjo Sumampao who reasonably furloughed the team in the midst of a scorching championship clash. Sarip, Dimaronsing and Mac Ramos scored double digits, with the rest of Angoyao crew contributing co-equally to secure the lead.
United Yousef Naghi Electronics Division, the distributor of Philips, LG, Nardi, Fogoes Meireles and Ariston home appliances and electronic brands in the Kingdom, exclusively sponsors the event in coordination with vice president Ahmed Sfarjilani and retail & operations GM Jamal Hamouda. Organized by the Mindanao Federation Basketball Association (MFBA), the event is under the aegis of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, with the Jeddah Officiating Group (JOG) handling the officiating chores.
