JEDDAH, 16 April 2004 — Al Zafer Cargo remained unbeaten and grabbed the Group B title via a two-game sweep of its archrival, Five-Six Al Attas, in the 1st BBSJ-Al Zafer Basketball Tournament at the Al Majal Compound sponsored by Telemoney-Arab National Bank and Giant Superstores.
Al Zafer set the tone early roaring in front of 24-12 with 2:02 minutes left to play in the opening quarter and went on to lead by as much 8 points.
Visibly undermanned, the Five-Six Al Attas trio Marlon Ponce, Ryan Torres and Paller, nevertheless, gave their team a run for their money by playing catch up throughout the game series, staged a tenacious defense and went on a 12-2 run to plug the loopholes. However, Dionisio of Al Zafer asserted his supremacy under the board with his defensive prowess as Al Zafer rolled to win at 82-74 in an effortless victory on Thursday. He netted 30 points output and picked the best player of this game plum.
Five-Six Al Attas came charging back from a 9-point deficit and over came some late lapses and miscues at 21-19 on Friday. But Dionisio and Tacaban flexed their muscles, stamped their class by dominating the offensive and defensive rebounds thus allowing Viscayno a fast break points and went on to pull their side at 60-52.
Viscayno capped the win at 77-70, and earned him the best player game award sponsored by Canon. The best players received a nice shirt and a cap from Mr. Mirza Ibrahim Baig, the Canon Branch Manager.
In a keen match between Fikra and Al Majal on Thursday provided the appetizer for another exciting ball games of this friendship game organized by Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah. The hard-earned overtime win at 95-86 from Fikra. Laxina of Fikra could not find a way to finish off the Al Majal, missing eight free throws in the final 33 seconds to play.
Meanwhile, Bansil “The Tower of Power” with his all around displays of offensive and defensive rebounds paced 35 points for Fikra to lead their victory on Friday and handed over the best player of the game award.
Fikra and Al Majal will be gearing up for the championship round for Group A title and will play again on Thursday.
