JEDDAH: Uncle Majid-Panino’s addressed an issue in the point by recruiting crack Arab point guard Said Elbahi and, with Ron Magat getting back his old shooting touch, hammered out an 80-65 victory over Jeddah Guards Thursday during Week 4 actions in the 1st Orient Watch Cup and 11th Filsama Basketball League Conference at Star Clubs Gymnasium in Faisaliyah District here.

The Jeddah Guards of Hassan Zennedein marked the return of an Arab team to the elite division in Filipino-organized tournaments and the Orient Watch Cup Open B Reinforced in particular.

Hassan didn’t expect much from his Lebanese players and his mindset was just to get them into a tournament, period. But manager-coach Francis Magat obviously didn’t buy what Hassan was selling and prepared well for their match.

The result was a second straight victory and the lead in the double round robin play in the division that also includes New Cabalen Friendster and Slammers.

Ron led all scorers with 21 points while the Moroccan Said had 11 while orchestrating plays and providing stability in the backcourt in tandem with Jay Liam. Morsie Akad added 18 points while Razon and Aguilar had 13 and 12 points for Uncle Majid which wiggled out of a tight game and never looked back when Akad and John Rebulado hit baskets inside the paint to give their team a double-digit lead of 39-27 at the half.

Another attack underneath the basket by Joseph Ubalde to start the third quarter had Uncle Majid increasing its lead to 14 points that Jeddah Guards brought down to 60-65 to end the period. At payback time, Said, Ron and Akad kept scoring to keep the fighting Jeddah Guards at bay en route to Uncle Majid victory.

Comebacking Albaba led Jeddah Guards with 18 points, Bash had 16, Abdelhey 13 and Zureik 12 points.

The week saw Friendster-Philcon E-life Generals score a weekend double in the Above 40 Division, crushing Airnet Sume 100-80 Thursday and frustrating Rabea Tea 80-76 Friday behind sallies by Joven Batuhan and Nap Solis.

Against Airnet Generals drew 18 points each from Daudi, Dimalig and Macarimban. Soliveres made 15 pts and Batuhan 11 pts. Airnet Sume had Tobeo scoring a game-high 41 with Dela Cruz on 13, Mamalumpong 11 and Baldoz 10

BMG Knights won over Manila Hotdog in an Above 40 thriller Friday where veteran Teddy Jamahali drove the lane with 2 seconds to play to deliver the winning basket for Knights 94-92 after Macaraig tied the score with a three-pointer with 9 ticks left.

Knights preserved the victory when Dr. Loue’s Hotdog missed a desperation basket from beyond the arc.

Jamahali finished with 19 points as did Garcia while veteran Nanding Unas topscored for Knights with 34 points. Pinagayao added 12 and Ismael 10 points. Loue and Macaraeg led Manila Hotdog on 19 apiece, Dondon tallied 13 and Doronilla 12 points.

In the Non-Rated Division. Sharbatly finally tasted victory over DHL team after consecutive losses in the last week. The final score is 74-51.

Vitangcor led Sharbatly with 16, Ali and Tacuboy each tallied 14 each ad Ordonio 11. For DHL David scored 16 points, Rafael 15 and Granado 13.

In another Non-Rated Division game, Wasalak launched a spectacular buzzer beater 3-point shot courtesy of Nonoy Soliveres to edge Dabarkads 87-85.

Soliveres made the improbable shot just a few steps away from midcourt and off the inbounds.

It was the first defeat in three games for Dabarkads.

Navarro led Wasalak with 29 points while Soliveres had 21, Caputol 15, Cabalu 15 and Brian 10 pts. Ricasa paced Dabarkads with 35 pts, Voluntad contributed 20 and Adonis 15.

In another strong Non Rated Division game, Friendster New Cabalen Restaurant defeated Pinky’z 90- 85. Razon got 22 pts, Yabes 20 and Padernal 17 for Friendster. Pinky’z leading scorers were Asmad 20, Dumalogdog 17, Feguiroa 15 and Fuentes 14.

Tournament major sponsor is Orient Watch -Al Husseini & Al Yahyah Investment Group for its support. The other league backers are Western Union, LBC Cargo Hari ng Padala, Cruzado Perfume, Virgin Mobile and Zikato Construction Co. through Operations Manager Albert Zuniga.