KFUH, UKAA, SAPTCO, ACEC Consultants beat rivals in UFBF tourney

ALKHOBAR: King Fahd University Hospital (KFUH) of Willy Cruz celebrated its maiden appearance with a rousing but hard-fought victory over another newcomer Hazim Consulting, 76-67, Friday in Junior D5-B of the 16th UFBF-FAEC Basketball tournament at Al Qadisia sports gymnasium here.

Cris Evangelista used his built to the hilt to completely dominate the board hauling down 12 rebounds to finish with 21 points while getting a big lift from rookie Nheil Deocuariza finishing with 16 points, Fritz Padlan with 13 and the rest of the entire crew contributed in the team’s defensive stance. Jud Del Limosnero led Hazim with 20 points, Reden Gervacio added 18, Alvin Bautro had 15 but that proved useless to KFUH’s relentless attack to the basket everytime they mounted a rally.
Now on its 5th week of competition, the tournament is sponsored by Fahd Alireza Engineering Consultants, this season’s major sponsor, Mohd Dossary Hospital, McDonald’s, Bangus Restaurant and Al Hoty Group are minor sponsors.
After its initial setback, the United Kicks Aficionados Arabia (UKAA) found their groove to beat Nelson Balilia’s Stallion team, 78-74, in the same division.
Rookie Dave Sarmiento led UKAA with 30 points, MJ Mendoza added 11, while kristoffer Melo, Mel Turingan, Roy Dipasupil, Carlito Guzman, Jimmy Alzate, Regie Lustan, Alvin Alejandrino and Phogz Alagasi combined for 33 points.
Towering Glen Flores and guard Adam Bengco scored 31 and 16 points the entire game to help Stallions shake off a slow start but UKAA’s Sarmiento went on a shooting rampage that saw his team leading 25-14 end of first quarter.
UKAA made it even difficult for Stallions to come back as they continued to play an inspired second quarter behind Melo, Mendoza, Guzman, Dipasupil and Lustan after taking a 45-28 advantage end of the half. Scoreless in the second period, Sarmiento never run out of firepower as he scored the team’s 10-of-18 points in the third quarter enjoying a 17-point lead after Turingan converted a lay-up shot off Sarmiento’s assist, 63-46, end of the period for UKAA.

But Stallions wouldn’t go without a fight and found themselves within 6, 57-63, on successive baskets from Flores, Bengco, Mario Lisao and Alfonso Alix, midway in the fourth quarter as they looked poised to even the match when Flores asserted his might and scored several foul shots to come within striking distance at 71-74, just 17:82 seconds left in the game. But that was the best it could muster as Sarmiento converted two trips to the line and a buzzer-beating winning basket.
SAPTCO rebounded from game one loss to beat the winless Pepsi Dabarkads, 67-57, in Junior D5-C. Alvin Lagdaan exploded for 25 points and had several steals and assists. He was supported by Edward Saludaga with 16 points, while Joel Sarino, Andrew Carpentero, Aladino Alcosiba, Junjun Asidera, William Gamueda and Randy Pasco combined for 26 points. Only two Pepsi starters scored in double figures – Adrian Pamintuan (15) and Feroz Aukes (11) but failed to get enough support from his teammates.
Extra Shockwave continued its winning streak by beating the winless Khobar Hotshots, 100-92, in Junior D5-A. All its starters finished in double-digit scores with Christopher Tan on top by 29 points, Nino Bartido (22), Victor Laniog (20), Eddie Bulingut (14) and Lapera (10). Other game results: Al Hoty Stanger beat U&TSD Wellness, 75-63, Sigac dumped BMW, 78-67, ALJ-Toyota thrashed Slammers, 80-60, and ACEC Consultants edged APEP, 84-78, in Inter-Company division.