DAMMAM: Back to back champion Bahrain Philippine Cargo Express, return back with another galactic style on Friday leading the elaborate 29th season ceremony of the prestigious Eastern Province Basketball League at the Al Ettifaq Club Gymnasium.

Unanimously chosen as the Best in Uniform, Best Team Management and Most Organized team, for the third consecutive time, the BPC Express lead by the Team owner Marlon Gargar and Team Manager Alex Mejia paraded with a thrilling performance that give them a warm of applause from the elated 28 team participants and the crowd.

The 29th season of EPBL exclusively broadcast by the GMA TV International, a Filipino TV Channel.

Abdul Fattah Ennayal, the Director of Mohammed Dossary Hospital being the guest of honor and speaker, delivered an inspirational message, to the pleasure of the teams and the singing duo of Ferdie Neuda and Jerwin Marana wowed the crowd. The BPC Dance Troupe surprised again the teams with another stirring dance performance to complete the ceremony.

In the opening game, the BPC return back in the basketball court, this time with a blazing fourth quarter rally that blasted past former Grand slam titlist Sharbatly Fruits, 86-83, with Michael Villaruel draining the marginal basket in League C Division that completed the Cargo Express thrilling performance of the Opening day.

Villaruel hit an open jumper under heavy pressure for his third 3-point shot in the ballgame with only 16.8 seconds remaining to snatch the win. The Cargo Express who were trailing for most of the match enter the fourth quarter with a 56-69 deficit, got stormed back into the game with John Supan and Bryan Rosales both came off the bench with a 25-11 run that gave them the lead for good, 81-80, with 1:26 seconds to play. Sharbatly was not finished; Jay Bagunas hit a three-point play to regain the lead at 83-81, but Rosales tied it on a lay-up. Sharbatly could not convert in the ensuing play, which prompted Coach Joe Cordero for their last time-out. Villaruel hit the go ahead basket, while Sharbatly failed to shoot to extend the game for a possible overtime.

In other game, newcomers Cameroon team notched their first win against Kia Al Jabr Automotive 72-48 in the Intercompany division. Joy Espinosa led the Cameroon with 14 points while William Alonzo and Butch Bautista had 13 and 10 points respectively for the win. Paul Espino and Salvador Brizal had 11 and 10 points respectively for Kia Automotive.

The scores:

BPC Cargo Express 86 – Baal 17; Villaruel 16; Grabador 16; Supan 11; Rosales 10; Villarreal 5; Nayre 4; Razal 3; Raymundo 2; Mundo 2; Java 0; Sayson 0

Sharbatly Fruits 83 – De Guia J. 13; Bagunas 12; Garcia 9; Pascua 8; Simque 7; Abrigondo 6; Salandino 6; Plana 6; Valenzona 6; Gaspan 5; De Guia 3; Amarante 2