JEDDAH: Jay Liam played the game of his life, scoring 48 big points as Tamimi Global outlasted Egypt in a game that dragged on for what seemed like eternity to win 124-121 in triple overtime in the Open Rated B Division in the 2nd Orient Watch Cup and 13th Filsama Basketball League at Rawdah court on Madinah Road here.
Liam, the smallest man on the court, rallied the Filipinos from 21 points down against the much bigger and taller Egyptians in the second quarter, hitting jumpers, high floaters and from beyond the arc. He was right in the thick of the action up until the three extra periods and when the game was on the line.
Though Liam, a Pampanga native, had personal-best of 69 points in a single game this one stood out if only for the quality and intensity of the competition.
Tamimi led for the first time at 76-75. The regulation period ended at 82-all when Waleed Khatab hit a buzzer-beater under the basket, forcing the first overtime.
There was still no result after the first five-minute extension was deadlocked at 90-all. In the second overtime, Tamimi Global had looked headed to victory with a five-point lead in the last 16 seconds.
But, lo and behold, the Egyptians, tired as they were like the Filipinos, were not done yet and an amazing three-point basket by sharpshooter Mohamad Fawzi sent the game to a third overtime, 104-104.
At this point Tamimi got the better of the Egyptians, with a driving layup by Liam touching off a Tamimi closing burst that included free throws by Morsi Akad, Joseph Ubalde, John Rebulado and Liam himself.
Ubalde finished the game with 21 points while Akad had 17.
For the Egyptians, Abdelrazak led the way with 30 points including four three-pointers, Fawzi tallied 24 points and Zain added 13.
The thrilling game ended well past midnight.
It was the first win in three games for Tamimi while Egypt took its first defeat after back-to-back victories in the tournament sponsored by Orient Watch brand of the Al-Hussaini and Al-Yahya Investment Group.
In the other game, Tau Gamma Phi defeated Jeddah Bros. 82-75 to keep its qualifying hopes alive in the Non-Rated Division.
Tau Gamma had Macapundi top-scoring with 26 points followed by Sanchez 18 and San Juan 12 points.
Mandia paced Jeddah Bros. with 38 points. Pascua made 14 and Abdul Bari 10 points.
Liam, the smallest man on the court, rallied the Filipinos from 21 points down against the much bigger and taller Egyptians in the second quarter, hitting jumpers, high floaters and from beyond the arc. He was right in the thick of the action up until the three extra periods and when the game was on the line.
Though Liam, a Pampanga native, had personal-best of 69 points in a single game this one stood out if only for the quality and intensity of the competition.
Tamimi led for the first time at 76-75. The regulation period ended at 82-all when Waleed Khatab hit a buzzer-beater under the basket, forcing the first overtime.
There was still no result after the first five-minute extension was deadlocked at 90-all. In the second overtime, Tamimi Global had looked headed to victory with a five-point lead in the last 16 seconds.
But, lo and behold, the Egyptians, tired as they were like the Filipinos, were not done yet and an amazing three-point basket by sharpshooter Mohamad Fawzi sent the game to a third overtime, 104-104.
At this point Tamimi got the better of the Egyptians, with a driving layup by Liam touching off a Tamimi closing burst that included free throws by Morsi Akad, Joseph Ubalde, John Rebulado and Liam himself.
Ubalde finished the game with 21 points while Akad had 17.
For the Egyptians, Abdelrazak led the way with 30 points including four three-pointers, Fawzi tallied 24 points and Zain added 13.
The thrilling game ended well past midnight.
It was the first win in three games for Tamimi while Egypt took its first defeat after back-to-back victories in the tournament sponsored by Orient Watch brand of the Al-Hussaini and Al-Yahya Investment Group.
In the other game, Tau Gamma Phi defeated Jeddah Bros. 82-75 to keep its qualifying hopes alive in the Non-Rated Division.
Tau Gamma had Macapundi top-scoring with 26 points followed by Sanchez 18 and San Juan 12 points.
Mandia paced Jeddah Bros. with 38 points. Pascua made 14 and Abdul Bari 10 points.
