Rabya, Airnet book spots in final; OBS tastes win in OFBL

JEDDAH: Salud and Emancio combined for 49 points as they powered Rabya to a 78-63 statement win over Sajco in the semifinal round in the 2012 Boy Teves Basketball Tournament organized by Overseas Filipino Basketball League (OFBL) at Time-out Sports Academy on Television Street, Ghulail District on the outskirts of Jeddah.
Rabya kept momentum after leading by five points early in the first quarter boys as it did an impressive job of taking down Sajco. Salud did well on both ends of the court especially in the painted area. He was unstoppable when driving to the basket. When Salud got into foul trouble in the last three minutes of the second quarter, Emancio took over for Rabya. He eluded his defenders to hit three consecutive baskets.
Eleuterio added 11 points and Nasser had 9. Sajco boys tried to match up the power and intensity of Rabya to no avail. Dano and Alberio led Sajco with a combined 29 points in the tournament supported by Al-Zugbi Sports Tailoring, AMAIA Escape, Pepsi, Art’s Cuisine, Basketball Referees Group (BRG) and Pinoy Photographers Club (PPC).
Rabya now moves to the best-of-three series against GCT for the Inter-Company Bona fide championship.
In the Inter-Commercial A, Airnet arranged a title showdown with waiting finalist Butler with a gutsy victory over its great rival Compass Ocean Logistics.
Despite not having their head coach and three key players Jack Basilio and the Airnet stood their ground in the 75-63 triumph.
Basilio proved that he was never afraid to face the big guys as he dominated the scoring and rebounding for him to be adjudged Best Player of the game with 23 points.
He got a support from Millar Daham who found his shooting touch in the final stage of the fourth quarter to add 12 points, Alturas used his aerial moves to add 11 and Diaz played good defense on the star players of the Compass who struggled to get their game going.
In the Friday Morning Division, OBS tasted its first win over Yummy Yummy 79-67 thanks mainly to Herrero who had 26 points as the Best Player. Supporting Herrero was Padernal with 14 points and Yang with 12 points. Ablaza and Balason led Yummy’s losing cause with a combined 39 points.
In the Friday Morning second game, JAL Int’l defeated Nesma Partners 78-75.
Mize and Ulker face off for the right to meet unbeaten waiting finalist Tropapips in a best-of-three for the Inter-Commercial B after winning against V-Cool 68-54 and BHBC 73-67 respectively. Mize’s Framo and Ulker’s Leo Tablante were named best players with 21 and 22 points respectively.
In the Above 40 Division, Clear rolled back Event Mall 73-60 with Mabarit as Best Player with 20 points.
Meantime, the two-week countdown has started for the Jeddah leg of the PBA Legends Saudi tour on Oct. 27, 28 and 29 at Jeddah Hall Stadium.
For ticket reservation please contact any of the OFBL officials or visit the group’s Facebook account ofbl_jed.