Saudi Ericsson, Pizza Inn, United Motors, Hukaime triumph

The third week action in the Juffali Basketball League saw three more teams taste another victory in their respective divisions.
Saudi Ericsson headed by manager Alex Peralta and team coaches Alex Palacio and Lito Reyes posted a 98-87 victory against strong rival Jamed in the Inter-Department at the weekend here.
Billiones, Deinla, Rambacal and Wen powered the Telecom operators to their first win with Ravenal Arce doing the defensive chores in the last quarter. The first quarter was a see-saw battle with both teams exchanging shooting skills in the shaded area, 25-23 but the winners rallied in the second quarter behind the heroics of Deinla and Billiones, 48-37 giving pressure to their opponents.
However, Jamed regained composure in the third quarter and moved the score closer, 64-63 powered by De Villa and Fernando. In the last quarter, Coach Palacio and Reyes fielded their four top guns to secure a big win. Billiones top-scored with 32 points followed by Deinla, 28, Rambacal, 16 and Wen, 12. For the losing side, Fernando led the scoresheet with 34, De Villa had 27 and Quizon 10.
In the Inter-Automotive United Motors collected its first victory against Jaguar 87-78 in a mismatch of a contest.
In this encounter it was as if Jaguar has not fully recovered yet from its first loss to Jaco in the preliminary match. The winners composed of only six players swept all quarters and went for the kill in the last canto. Marcelo and Mapagdalita had 20 apiece while Fabillo shot 16, and 12 for Pugosa. For the losers, Barnuevo completed 24 while Ma and Romero got 19 points each.
JACO also collected another win at the expense of Al Jomaih 98-94 in a highly contested match. Both teams had equal output in the beginning 20-20 then JACO took the lead in the second quarter 49-45. Jomaih retaliated in the third 73-61 giving a pressure-laden last quarter but the winners did not surrender and secured a four-point win in the end.
Pizza Inn also took home another victory during the week’s encounter with Coffee Essence in the Inter-Company 86-75. The winners were slow in the beginning but rallied in the last quarter to secure the win.
Al Hokair also had a big start by denying Petromin 112-90 in the same group.
De Leon was applauded for the game’s success for his 27 points while Canas poured in 20 points. For the losers, Balbona top-scored with 23 points followed by Brezuela, 18 points.
In the last game, Al Hukaime came out strong defeating DHL in a slow but sure victory 67-60. They finally got their momentum after a sorry loss from Pizza Inn in the last week encounter. Wenceslao proved his worth in the game with 21 points while Presentacion had 10.
This event enjoys the sponsorship of Mercedes-Benz of Shane Lottering, JIPCO of Ali Bistawi, Western Union of Nomer Cuartero, The Filipino Dentists Group of Saudi Arabia headed by Dra. Lourdes Madayag, Laguna Lakers Cargo Forwarders of Dante Layosa, WRJ Freight Forwarders of Jong Magallanes, Merex Forwarders of Michael Casinos, Pepsi Cola. It is organized and hosted by E.A. Juffali & Brothers led by Rolly Narciso and officers Nonong Victoriano, Elmer Bacerdo, Dante Fabular, Boyet Alquero, George Velasco, Flor Narisma, Emil Gamboa, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, and Mark Valdez. The Saudi Arabia Basketball Referee Association (SABRA) handles the tournament officiating.