JEDDAH — KIA Motors proved too good when they outplayed United Carton 86-57 in Seiko-JBLIC year 2002 basketball tournament held in COCG basketball court here in Industrial City State Phase 1. KIA Motors with Tancio — a nominee for Most Valuable Player — continued burning the basket with his no-fear offensive moves and firing three points shot whenever find himself free in the trifecta area. United Carton tried hard but failed to stop KIA Motors charge who were playing like an overhauled engine. Tancio was top score with 31 points while Veneracion scored 15 points for United Carton.
In the next game, UPC defeated Seiko-Butler 74-72. It was a seasaw battle between these two ballclubs. Both teams played a do-or-die game for their team, UPC applied running game while Seiko-Butler with Arce and Olivo attacking the zone defense with accurate passing to the open man. Diaz and De Venecia scored 28 and 22 points respectively for UPC warriors while Arce and Olivo scored 24 and 22 points respectively for Seiko-Butler.
In another game, Basahm-Goody beat Giordano Fashions 82-75. Giordano Fashions almost scored an upset over highly-favorite Basahm-Goody. Giordano Fashions manning the driver’s seat up to the 3rd quarter while Basahm-Goody tried hard to stay in the contention. In the resumption of the fourth quarter, Basahm-Goody applied trapping defense that paid well. Egos top scored with 28 points supported by Centeno with 27 points for Basahm-Goody while Alipio scored 24 points for Giordano Fashions.
In Friday’s game, KIA Motors beat Seiko-Butler 80-67. KIA Motors scored their second straight victory in the semifinals series. Seiko-Butler tried to hard to stay in contention but a couple of turnovers in the final two minutes of the game put them in 0-2 score. Tancio top score with 32 points for Kia Motors while Borbon scored 21 points for Seiko-Butler.
In the next game, United Carton bounced back from Thursday’s loss and beat UPC 103-64. United Carton showed improvement in their offense and defense. UPC tried to contain the defense of United Carton by applying the running game but missed some important baskets. Veneracion scored 38 points for United Carton while De Venecia top score with 24 points for UPC Warriors.
In another game, FFP-Sunbulah escaped a near defeat at the hands of Jedac Impact 92-91. Jedac Impact controlled the driver seat up to the final 2 minutes of the game. FFP-Sunbulah with Batarao and Domingo firing three points shot respectably tied the score at 91-all with only 12 seconds remaining. Villanueva converted the two bonus shot and gave FFP-Sunbulah the ticket for the best-of-three championship series. Batarao top score with 35 points for FFP-Sunbulah while Diaz scored with 19 points for Jedac Impact.
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).
