RIYADH: Round 2 — Day 9 competitions saw another down to the wire finish with Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) repeating over SABB 86-84 in the Interbank Basketball League of Riyadh at Yamama Hotel court here.

BSF led from the tip off posting leads of as much as 15 points in the first and second quarters with Ivan Marcelino and Rozel Labinghisa scoring on transition baskets. The second half ended 49-36 in BSF’s favor.

In the 3rd quarter, SABB mounted a rally with Peter Merquita and Ron Alega scoring at will to cut BSF’s lead down to 4 at the end of the 3rd quarter. In the fourth quarter the tables were turned when Fadi Ratl controlled the rebounds and Merquita teaming up with Ramones on the attack. SABB took a 5 point lead going into the last few minutes of the game when BSF came back from the dead to tie the game with 6 seconds remaining.

The inbound pass went to Marcelino who dribbled his way into the lane and drilled a jump shot that swished in as time expired to cap his game long heroics. It was a heartbreaking loss for SABB which rallied strongly but faded in the end game.

As usual, BSF was led by Marcelino with 22 markers and 12 rebounds as well as 3 key blocks in the last few minutes. He was supported by Labinghisa with 19 points, Joseph Maquera 9 points and Rosel Salazar 8 points.

For SABB, Peter Merquita top-scored with 32 big points and had 12 rebounds. Ron Alega had a good game with 17 points and 12 boards. Ratl added 17 points and a team-high 18 rebounds while 3 point specialist Jun Ramones had 12 points. The Best Player of the game honors went to BSF’s Marcelino for the nth time with IBLR Chairman Bobby Ting awarding the BPG medal.

In the second game, Arab National Bank (ANB) outplayed a stubborn Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB) in the 85-60 victory. SAIB kept the game interesting for the first half with just a 4-point deficit at halftime 29-33. However in the second half, ANB started to pour it on stretching its lead to 7 at the end of the 3rd quarter then pulled away in the final canto.

ANB was led by Gab Gabitanan scattering 30 points and a team-high 15 rebounds and Egay Borromeo adding 25 points and 12 rebounds. Also adding to the scoreline was Ezbon Lobaton with 9 points and Alex Balisi with 7 points. For SAIB, they were led as usual by Jonas Moreto with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Karlo Octavo had 15 points and Sherwin Frago added 7 points and 9 rebounds. Sharing the Best Player of the game accolade were ANB’s Gab Gabitanan and E. Borromeo. The IBLR chairman and Vice Chairman Anthony Villanueva awarded the medals.

Standings at the end of Day 9: Alinma (5-2), BSF (5-3), SABB (4-3), ANB (4-3), and SAIB (0-7).