RIYADH, 27 June 2003 — In the fourth week of action of the Jeraisy Group of Companies Inter-Company (Bonafide) Basketball Tournament, Zahran Group, Kudu Company, Jeraisy Group and the Pizza Hut teams were level with 3 wins and 1 loss. The event is being held at the Jeraisy Staff Compound Basketball Court, Exit 7 — back of Al-Imam University, Riyadh.
The Zahran Group cagers headed by Arnel Ardamoy, Choie Ordaneza, Benjie Enriquez, Anton Castaloni, Dingdong Urrutia and Jess Ritualo had hoped to continue their winning streak and finish the elimination round with a no-loss record and the momentum was in their favor during the first half which concluded at 33-22. They were unable to duplicate the same rhythm in the second half as powerhouse Pizza Hut team of Coach Jojo Ben led by Joseph Abasolo, Nante Garcia, Xandrix Babao, Larry De Guzman, Paul Vincent Pon-An and Ronald Naperi played fine defense, particular during the last quarter. The Pizza makers luck changed with Zenki Naferi’s fastbreak that registered a deadlock at 47-all.
Benjie Enriquez found it hard to match the scoring spree of the Pizza makers as steady Joseph Abasolo pounded in a series of points tohelp Pizza Hut win 67-50.
The Kudu Company team of Coach Orly Casimero and Wowie Din concluded a “no-mercy battle” with the Jarir Bookstore team of Jess Ordinario and Johnny Castillo, 84-37. Ace forward Rodel Realica provided an outside shot and a triple for the Jarir Bookstore squad who managed to lead the game early from a fall-out shot of Rene Escosio notwithstanding the powerful play of Owen Del Rosario. Kudu team’s captain Noel Sabordo along with his team’s first stringers Allain Catalan, Jojo Tampos, Joeser Bustamante and Frando Rodejo started the run and directed his team’s scoring as well.
Rodel Manalo, Edmund Mamangun and Rey Sillo continued to pour in baskets on the run while Aries, Ador Aguinaldo, and Jerry Sazon concentrated on the defense, closing the screen with 47 points margin.
Jeraisy Group of Rico Malaluan and Alvin Mendoza took the early lead in their encounter with Golden Grass team of Nestor de Castro and John Caballero through Fernando Cuison and Alex Cerro, 12-4. But following good defense by Ramil Ellacoria and a timely steal helped Golden Grass close the first canto at 16-all. Both teams showed good defense and Golden Grass’ Omar Cabal blocked every attempt inside the shaded area.
Jeraisy continued to increase their lead through the efforts of Jeffrey Dela Cruz, Cruz Placencia, Lito De Dios, Rino Tolentino and Khalid Hamouri. But the Golden Grass team, with James Buhay’s offensive rebound, cut the lead to 7. But Jeraisy managed to keep the lead and win 60-55.
