JEDDAH: Think Tamimi Petro Rabigh is good as hyped? Well, you’ve got another think coming as Nexus sent Tamimi crashing back to earth after a rousing debut with an 86-82 victory in the top game of Week 3 even as Durat Al Arous, Fawri Moneygram and SITML notched their second victories in the FBA (Filipino Basketball Association) 37th Season at the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Sport Complex basketball court.

From 81-all, Montejo and Best Player Pascual hit the marginal points while Amparado did a good job defending against Pagbilao as the trio sparked Nexus to a thrilling win in Category B over Petro Rabigh, which debuted the previous week in a big way by beating 36th Conference Inter-Company A runner-up KIA 86-83.

Amparado and Montejo shared scoring honors for coach Buhano’s Nexus on 19 points while Pascual finished with 17 points.

Nexus had never led from the start of the game until Montejo waxed hot with his perimeter shooting to put Nexus finally in the lead in the fourth quarter.

In the game against KIA Pagbilao scored a tournament-high 37 points but last Friday he was held to 18 points and only two in the fourth quarter as the quicker Amparado shut him down on defense. Noblejas also tallied 18 points for Petro Rabigh while Villegas added 16.

Durat Al Arous in Category C hammered out a 75-67 victory over Ford Al Jazirah in the third game Thursday. Romero with 16 points was named Best Player of the game, while Montejo topscored with 18 points and Domingo added 8. Sanchez, Maglalang and Caputol scored 13, 12 and 11 points for Al Jazirah, which suffered double defeat when it lost its Friday game against Al Mabani 85-83.

In the nightcap Thursday, Fawri with Best Player Ahmed, scoring 18 and Teves and Aquino each adding 12 points brought down Saudi Diyar 70-63 in Category D Pool 1. For Saudi Diyar, Repollo scored 20 points, Del Rosario had 13 and Deleon made 9 points.

SITML likewise led its group, D Pool 2, on 2-0 after crushing Aramex 71-48. Reyes topscored with 13 points while Best Player Pao Pabustan and Versoza each had 12 points for SITML.

Nexus completed a weekend double as its Nexus 2 team in D Pool 3 whipped Sharbatly Fruits 72-51 in a first game for both teams. Triano shot 25 points and was named Best Player, Berido had 17 and Bajas 10 for Nexus. Ordonio came through with 18 points for Sharbatly to go with the 10 and 9 points for Dinglasan and Vitangcor.

Week 3, with a heavy 9-game schedule, saw Uragon and UMA debut Thursday with victories over Atlas Copco 75-56 and Takbo Unlimited 70-78 in D Pool 2 and Pool 3 respectively.

Coached by Vhong Poliga, Uragon led at the half by 41-29 and then limited Atlas Copco to a measly 7 points while striking for 17 in the third quarter to win pulling away. Pacaige with 22 points for Uragon grabbed Best Player honors, while Dizon and Cilot scored 13 and 10 points.

UMA’s Suguitan and Ahmed were picked co-Best Player of the game, with 27 and 17 points respectively.

Elsewhere, Mussali Gold evened is record at 1-1 in D Pool 1 by beating 3Pol Ace 64-55 in the nightcap Friay. Best Player Chavaz topscored with 14 points, Amores tallied 10 and Celin had 9 for Mussali.

The tournament is sponsored by Tim Hortons Café and Bake Shop, Fawri Money Transfer Services, Cebu Pacific and Manila Cuisine with support from Kabalikat Civicom KSA Chapter.