RIYADH, 25 October — R. Vitor scored 23 points, grab 8 rebounds to lead Greenland to a three points victory, 98-95 in the 5th Saudi-Filipino Basketball association (SFBA) open invitational basketball tournament held at the White Palace Hotel, Old airport road, here.
The tournament is sponsored by the Greenland Landscaping Company under the auspices of Yousef M. Al Masri general manager. Greenland team, which started an all-Saudi squad, fared well in the outset of the first half by leading as much as five points.
Hamad Al Faheil, who scored 8 points in the game, sank 2 points, 6 assists, 1 rebound and two steals. Fahad Saedan and Muhammad Mubaraki scored 19 and 16 points respectively and dominating the board and low post offense. Vitor, who came midway in the first half to strengthen the offense, scored 9 of his 23 point output in the first half and sank a 3 point shot totaling 14 points in the second half. Al Samari team was struggling on its offense as the big guys failed to deliver.
Dave Gaña scored 27 of his 36-point output in the second half of the game and sparked a momentum to stay close to 2 points 8 minutes remaining in the game. Capati and Dennis Gaña scored 17 and 19 points respectively to back Dave Gaña, who unloaded 8 back-to-back baskets early in the second half. Consistent backing of the Greenland’s bench enabled the team to hold unto the 3 point lead thru the charities sank by Hamad Al Faheil and win the game 98-95.
Earlier Saudi American Glass factory beat Al Bustan team the 2nd qualifier of the semifinal crossover of the SFBA 4th Inter company open Invitational basketball tournament. Majeur 5 also beat Metro star Cargo. The winning shot of J. Roble gave them 1-point advantage to win the game 76-77 and push them into a semifinal qualifying play-off game against Saudi American glass who beat al Bustan.
Scores: Greenland (98) Vitor 23, Saedan 19, Mubaraki 16, Simari 12, Al Faheil 8, Al Melefy 8, Koliefe 5, Galivo 4, Pabuna 2, Esguerra 1. Al Samari (95) Dave Gaña 36, Dennis Gaña 19, Capati 17, Roble 9,Diego 6,Manansala 4, Esguerra 4,Cortez 1. SAGFAC (115) Gablino 30, AlForque 25, Emping 13, Azucena 13, Ativo 11,Chavas 9, Herrera 7, Ocan 5.
