JEDDAH: Except for one game, teams from Category D had the Week 7 schedule all to themselves with Uncle Majid Rice & Toppings in Pool 1 and Nexus 2 and Alshaya Lions in Pool 3 beating their opponents to remain unbeaten in the FBA (Filipino Basketball Association) 37th Season at the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Sport Complex basketball court here.

Kicking off the week Thursday was the D Pool 3 game that UMA won against Cheesecake Factory 69-58. It was the second win in three games for UMA. Saragoza with 18 points for UMA was name Best Player of the game. The other leading scorers at UMA were Suguitan with 16 and Zata with 15 points. For Cheesecake Cardoza and Villadoz shared scoring honors on 13 points, while Ortigueras had 12.

In a lone Category C match, Durat Al Arous, out to redeem itself from a failed bid for a championship in the last conference, edged out Pinoy Expat 84-83 in the second game Thursday.

Durat team of Charlie Tayam rolled to its fourth win in a row but it needed to survive a strong challenge from the Pinoy Expat in the game that was touch and go in the fourth quarter after Durat overhauled a 40-36 deficit by scoring 28 points in the third quarter to Pinoy’s 18.

Montejo tallied 13 of his topscoring 28 points in the fourth quarter including the marginal free-throw to become the Best Player of the game while leading Durat to victory. Romero added 17 points and Dorado 10 for Durat who spoiled the Pinoy Expat’s debut game.

Gino Cilot was the main man at Pinoy with 25 points followed by Pacaige on 16 and Garcia on 15 points.

Francis Magat’s Uncle Majid squad hardly worked up a sweat in hammering out a 101-46 demolition of Mussali Gold in the second game Friday.

Rey Razon emerged the Best Player with 14 points although Gringin and Manalang led the Uncle Majid scoring on 18 and 17 points. Pugao, Baldemeca and Vallejo led the Mussali Gold of Albert Mabilangan/Chavas on 11, 6 and 6 points in that order.

The victory, its third in as many games, put Uncle Majid at the halfway point of a possible twice to beat privilege in the semifinals.

For Nexus 2 the job is likewise almost halfway done in Pool 3 following a 70-67 beating of erstwhile unbeaten King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital (KFAFH) which dropped in a tie for third place with UMA. Leading the Nexus 2 charge were the trio of Best Player Berido 17 points, Trejano 14 and Flores 12.

Erwin Carpena’s Alshaya Lions are the only other unbeaten team in Pool 3 after winning Friday’s nightcap against Sharbatly Fruits 74-54. For the second straight game, Rod Eusebio won Best Player honors after leading the Lions to their second consecutive win with 19 points. Pennaroyo contributed 10 and Allosada 8 for Alshaya.

In the other Category D game in Pool 2, Freyssinet defeated Atlas Copco in overtime 74-72. The regulation play ended 69-all. Dollero with 17 points for Freyssinet was the Best Player of the game. Jana was the Freyssinet top scorer with 23 points while Cordova had 11.

The result created a three-way tie at first place between SITML, Freyssinet and Aramex, a 67-60 winner over Warriors, which all carry 2-1 cards.

Monding was Best Player of the game as he presided the Arama onslaught with 18 points.

FBA CEO and president Edgar Mendoza and Commissioner Noel Miguel run the show with support from the following: Admin/PR Director Jerry P. Lagrimas, Field Operations Director Robert Jose, Finance Director Jinkee Mendoza, Finance Admin Asst. Yuan Bondoc, and committee members Jimmy Nicdao, Mario delos Santos and Jessie Sales. Rodolfo “Boy” Cornejo and Paul Antiporda are the advisers, Sheraton Jeddah Hotel Security Force is in charge of the peace and security while JOG (Jeddah Officiating Group) handles the tournament officiating.

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