JEDDAH: With the Strong Division teams idle for the 10th week, the so-called league bread-and-butter teams took center stage with Almarai and GEEC-Fuji maintaining their division’s leading positions in the ISA-Modon Basketball Tournament 2016 .

Almarai set the tone of the Thursday evening games by blasting Afia 51-39 to keep the elad in the Inter-Company Bonafide Groyo A on 4-1.

Led by Malana with 20 points, Almarai played a strong defensive game and played well as a team. All throughout the game, Afia struggled to earn points while Almarai used speed and shared the ball to get the win.

Caesar likewise easily disposed of Naqel Ex 63-44 in the Inter-Company B with the trio of Best Player Barrios, Villaflores and Pension scoring 23, 15 and 12 points.

In the Mixed Division Group A, Sadafco, with five players in double figures namely Bautista 26 points, Calueng 21, Sanchez 16, Lalog 14 and Gaviola 11, overpowered Gilas Surigao 104-52.

Speed and determination were the key factors for Sadafco in grabbing the win during the Thursday main game .

GEEC-Fuji stepped into a tie for the Inter-Company C led with MS B Cola following its 66-61 victory over FMG, as the trio of Best Player Pariña, Eric Mabarit and Gaviola took charge with 18, 12 and 12 points respectively.

The score was not as close as the score indicated as FMG collapsed during the third quarter leading Fuji-Geec to mount a telling 20-8 run and take control of the game to from there.

In Inter-Company D, Ulker-Biskrem raised its record to 2-1 next only to Net Channel’s 3-0 with a masterful 73-59 triumph over Jeddah Cable. Best Player Aljon Jimenez led Ulker with 18 points followed by Valderama 14 and Sarmiento 9 points.

Good defense made it difficult for Jeddah Cable to score, while great teamwork allowed Leo dela Cruz’s team for plenty of scoring opportunities.

Aljon Jimenez rebounded well and did not allow opponents for second chance shots. Valderama also had a great night attacking the defense for points.

In the first game Friday, B-Cola defeated Caravan 47-42 in a low-scoring contest where high percentage shots made the difference for B-Cola.

Elsewhere, Sanaiya’s Best brought down Al Neng’s Warrior 73-70 in the Senior Division and A. L. S. Arabia beat Saudi Amana 87-75 in Inter-Company B.

Playing well as a team, Sanaiya’s Best shut ended Al Neng’s winning streak at three games while picking up its second straight.

Kapitan Hermogenes had a superb game on defense that caused many turnovers to their opponent. Hermogenes went on to take Best Player honors with 16 points.

Although Morales was the best in scoring with 30 points , it was Afloro who started well and set the plays for A.L.S. Arabia. On the other side, Saudi Amana’s poor passing cost the team to get into the game.

Organized by Industrial Sports Association and sponsored by Perfetto the tournament has attracted 53 teams in eight categories including 8 in the centerpiece Strong Division. — With input from Alot Villafuerte