JEDDAH, 26 April — Giordano Fashions caught the highly-favorite FFP-Sunbulah in their off night 74-58 in the Seiko-JBLIC year 2002 basketball tournament played at COCG basketball court in Industrial City State phase 1.
FFP Sunbulah suffered their first setback in the tournament due to the absence of some of their key players. Giordano Fashions played well and managed to control the momentum of the game. FFP Sunbulah even undermanned tried to keep the game at bay but lose their grip in the last two minutes of the game when Giordano Fashions applied the pressure defense and the run and gun offense.
Apolinario was top scorer with 22 points for Giordano Fashions while Olano scored 15 points for FFP Sunbulah.
In the next game, Tetra Pak beat Completa 62-61 in a hotly-contested match. Both teams played hard. With only 20 seconds remaining in the final quarter and the score at 61-61, Completa had a change to wrap the game but hurriedly shoot the ball which missed the target. Tetra Pak grabbed the rebound and Escosura got the first shot for the winning basket and remained top scorer with 18 points for Tetra Pak while Velasco scored with 15 points for Completa.
In another game, Seiko-Butler defeated United Carton 73-69. Scores kept changing sides during the whole game. Both teams showed they are ready to play the semifinals series.
Seiko-Butler ran all over the floor and pass to the open man while United Carton displayed a lot of moves in the shaded area. Arce was top scorer with 23 points for Seiko-Butler while Veneracion scored 20 points for United Carton.
In Thursday’s game, CPMC beat Lux Binzagr 82-75. CPMC showed much more improvement in their game. Lux Binzagr tried to contain the running game of CPMC but lost their steam in the dying minutes. Alimurong and Pansacala scored 24 and 24 points respectively for CPMC while Calso and Leo scored 28 points apiece.
In the next game, KIA Motors wrapped up UPC 66-60 for their no-loss record in the elimination round. Both teams played running game, KIA Motors managed to contain the defense applied by UPC with accurate passing skills and shooting in the perimeter area. Tancio top scored with 25 points for KIA Motors while De Venecia, Tubongbanwa and Manaois scored 14 points apiece.
This tournament is principally sponsored by Seiko Al Hussaini & Company courtesy of Abdulrahman Al Husseini, Hussam Salahi and Mohammad Ali Taleb. Other companies supporting this tournament are Sigma Paints (Dannie Quaimbao), Royal Brunie (Yousuf Ali Javeed), Alhamrani - Fuchs Petroleum Saudi Arabia (Sulaiman Al Hulayil), Giordano Fashions (MAK Jeelani and Ahmadullah), Al Haddaf Sports Wear (Mohammad Bayoumi), Fal - Lorenzo Cargo (Oscar Lorenzo), and Coop. Office for Call and Guidance (COCG).
