JEDDAH: The centerpiece Strong Division wars got going with Combibo and Uncle Majid Rice & Toppings posting initial victories in successive weeks in the Modon (Industrial City Property Management) Basketball Tournament 2016 at the Industrial Plaza basketball court on the outskirts of Jeddah.

A week after Combibo opened its campaign with a 90-75 triumph over Butler, Francis Magat’s Uncle Majid took its turn to break into the win column after beating Pepsi Cola 94-87 in overtime in the nightcap of the Week 4 actions.

After John Rebulado tied the ball game during the last seconds of the 4th quarter, Uncle Majid never looked back with Morsie Akad and Rey Razon taking care of the ball ensuring a significant 6 points margin after the extension period. Akad was the Best Player of the game.

Combibo’s JR Piedra, Mark Basa and Jay Liam accounted for 70% of the Butler’s total output. Combibo played well offensively and aggressively attacked the defense of the opposing team. Piedra was solid with 27 points most of them in the second half, as went on to grab Best Player honors.

The Senior Division also started during the third week of the young tournament with Al-Neng’s Warrior crushing Industrial Aces 86-68.

Veteran Jun Mabarit presided a fourth quarter breakaway by Al-Neng to finish with 27 points while earning Best Player of the game accolade.

After a devastating loss to Perfeto, Hempel Paints bounced back with a 65-52 win against Corinthians in Reinforced Group A.

Dominating early in the game, Hempel rained baskets to break the morale of the opposing team. Repollo and and David got away nicely during the first half, but it was Miñoza who kept the ball rolling for Hempel totally shutting down Corinthians.

In other Week 3 games of the tournament where Perfetto Pasta (Saudi Modern Foods Factory) is the major sponsor, Naqel Ex. edged Saudi Amana 57-55 in the Inter-Company Bonafide Group B while Green Vision whipped FMG 70-51 in Inter-Company Bonafide Group C.

Naqel Ex., however, was rebuffed in its second game the following week taking a 62-30 drubbing from Al Mira Carpet.

In the other Week 4 game, Net Channel with Cutameng and Abaiz scoring 21 and 17 points respectively brought down Ulker 68-61.

Selected scores:

Week 4

AL MIRA CARPET (62) – Rosero 19, Baytan 9, Ednilan 8, Bediot 8, Pacho 7, Velasquez 5, Marugapo 4, Bautista 2

NAQEL EX. (30) – Sususco 13, Onutan 7, Omemaga 5, Ancheta 3, Utrera 2

HEMPEL PAINTS (65) – Miñoza 13, Laguyo 12, David 10, Repollo 9, Pacallagan 7, Raagas 5, Manalo 4, Melgar 3, Balanay 2

CORINTHIAN (52) – Gapate 15, Batungbakal 9, Manalo 8, Obera 4, Salvador 4, Estrella 4, Olero 4, Prado 3, Lamug 1

NET CHANNEL (68) – Cutameng 21, Abaiz 17, Prejillana 6, Adacan 6, Santos 6, Pangan 4, Racelis 3, Estocapio 2, Abott 2, Tolentino 1

ULKER (61) – Basilio 25, Mamaril 9, Cj 6, Santos 5, Postrado 5, Thobby 4, Maisog 3, Abece 2, Loco 2

UNCLE MAJID (94) – Akad 25, Razon 22, Magat 18, Said 9, Rebolado 7, Tudoc 3, Elamparo 2, Alarcon 2, Ampuan 2, Credo 2, Beato 2

PEPSI COLA (87) – Guimpatan 29, Ubalde 18, Lagria 13, Pascua 12, Montejo 7, Fuentes 7, Garcia 1