DAMMAM, 21 February 2003 — The seventeenth season of the Eastern Province Basketball League kicked off in a grand fashion at the Al-Nahda Club in Dammam recently. Sponsored by Phuket Restaurant and Kabayan Phone Cards, a total of 18 teams have joined the opening parade led by multititlists, Sigma Paints, in League A.
They will be joined in the premier category by the Surigao Warriors and Chow Queen Restaurant.
Ex-pro, Romulo Orillosa, and the ACEC squad will try to repeat their successful 2002 campaign as the Consultants lead the aspirants in League B. Hot on their heels are last year’s two-time champs, Saudi Ready Mix, Rizal/Al-Alamiah, Al-Hassa’s Al Rai, ATCO, Al-Hoty Group, Astra Polymers, Tamimi Group, and Zahid Tractor. Excitement builds up amongst the hopefuls in Division II as Zahid and Tamimi, two of last year’s powers in this category, moved up to a higher level of competition.
After the opening ceremonies, Astra and Zahid lived up to their pre-tournament billing as they beat their respective opponents. Anchored by the slam-dunking, ex-MBA pro Nolram Aquino, backed-up by the duo of rookie sensation Jun Bolotaolo and Leo Mampusti, Astra dropped a 7-0 bomb at the opening tip on its way to trouncing the import-laced ATCO five with an easy 83-77 win.
The quartet of Snor Manabilang, Danny Alcantara, Dennis Bonilla and Ricky Lucero wreaked havoc on the Pirate’s defense as the high-scoring foursome made their shots from inside and out for a 96-84 victory. Dido Bunag’s Cameron five, on the other hand, proved all skeptics wrong as the Al-Rushaid franchise went full throttle in the fourth canto to snatch a gigantic, 84-83, upset win over Skyscrapers in Division II.
After a split by Cameron’s Mon Edades, Reboroso dribbled the ball downcourt for what looked like a winning basket even as teammate, Anthony Aguirre, who was closer to the basket, was yelling desperately for a pass. With Edades chasing him, Reboroso missed the target and Aguirre got the rebound with 3 ticks left.
Although the diminutive guard managed to put up a shot, he missed the rim as he was intimidated by the outstretched arms of the taller Edades. The ball dropped into Aguirre’s hands once more as time ran out. The entire Cameron bench including their supporters erupted in jubilation when the final buzzer sounded. Other games’ results: Pepsi 82 Al Bustan 72; Sigma 101 Quick Chow 84.
