JEDDAH, 27 September — Seven teams (Coca-Cola, Masat Al Sharq, Al Qahtani, Jeddah Cable, Arabian Gulf, Arifco & Alupco) emerged triumphant at the ongoing 7th Seiko Basketball Tournament in the Industrial City of Jeddah. The cagefest is principally sponsored Al-Hussaini & Co. (Seiko) through the support of Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Hussaini, Hussam S. Salahi & Mohammed Ali Taleb. Other supporters of the event are Sigma Paints, ABS-CBN the Filipino Channel, Giordano Fashions, Modern Dairies, Sky Freight Forwarders, Calson’s Management Services and Sports World Tailoring.
The result of last week games is as follows: Neophytes Coca-Cola team emerged victorious over NAPICO team (86-61). The foursome combination of Hormiliosa, Manahan, Anud and Escolta were instrumental in the success of Coca-Cola. NAPICO ace players Espiritu, Soria, Dela Pena & Libed did their best but to no avail.
The seemingly strong team of Masat Al Sharq won over the Samsung cagers (96-75). Commandante led the scoring squad for the Masat dribblers followed by Egus, Miranda, Ambus and Azarcon while Ronnie De Guzman, San Pedro & Capulong top scored for Samsung Electronics.
The Al Qahtani bombers eclipsed the team of Unilever (Comfort) Saudi Arabia led by Leo Rivera (53-51). Ensco, Quintana & Caranto led their team to its victory while Calso, Carollino and Tuazon played well for the Comfort (Unilever) team.
The 13th FBA champion team for the year 2002, Jeddah Cable Company mentored by Mahmood Protacio proved that they are still the team to beat in this tournament inspite the absence of their key player (Rongavilla) who was elevated in the Class B players category recently. They won easily over the host team COCG quintet (81-65) of Coach Erandio.
The Arabian Gulf sixers of Frank Reales won by slight margin over their bitter rivals, Modern Times & Technology team of J. Del Rosario (65-60) in a very exciting game. Mercado, Victoriano and Bayotas top scored for the Arabian Gulf plastic makers while Manila, Santos, Salcedo and Martin did well for the Saudi Diyar Consultants (Modern Times & Technology) team. Unilever (Vaseline) lost to Arifco sonics team inspite the all out efforts exerted by Calso, Villanueva and Ditchella. The Arifco Company team banked on the superb and sweet shooting ability of Agustin, Alparito and Mausisa in lambasting the Vaseline team with the final score of 78-63. In the other game involving Alupco Company and UPC (United Products Company), the former won over the latter (67-52).
The triumvirate of Fernandez, Melchor and Perlas were instrumental in the victory of Alupco who played exceptionally well for their team. Diaz, Aninipot, Manaois and Tubongbanua scored well for UPC.
Games at the COCG basketball court are being played every Thursday & Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Members of the organizing committee are Gil Manese, Brando Herrnandez and Goody Viajedor. Officiating is handled by FBA Officiating Group headed by Ding Abalos & Benjie Asa.
