ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: Uncle Majid-Panino’s duly completed an eight-game sweep to win the centerpiece Open Rated B Reinforced Division in style while PhilCon E-Life and Friendster-Cabalen Restaurant clinched Non-Rated Division and Above 40 Division championships at the end last Friday of the 1st Orient Watch Cup and 11th Filsama Basketball League Conference at Star Clubs Gymnasium in Faisaliyah District here.

While Uncle Majid and PhilCon won in dramatic fashion Cris Melebo’s Non-Rated team had the championship in the bag right after the first of the two-game series finals, as it beat Pinky’z by 21 big points 109-88 in the second game Thursday.

Friendster then returned the next day to again defeat Pinky’z 112-109 in nothing more than a routine game, with eventual MVP Rey Razon scoring 18 points to follow his 42-point performance in the Thursday game.

Needing to win by at least 6 points to erase a five-point deficit in the series opener and win the title, the Generals did just that in a result that left Friendster stunned as it failed in its bid for a championship double.

The scoreline was 78-72. The first game was 86-81 to Friendster.

After Uncle Majid finished the elimination round unbeaten team manager-coach Francis Magat entertained thoughts of completing an eight-game title sweep. He was not disappointed, and it was the second time Magat had a team to win a championship unbeaten. His Samsung team coached by Gary Santos and led by Gary David pulled off a similar sweep against coincidentally also a Lebanese select team in the Liga Pinoy in 2013.

Against the Jeddah Guards Uncle Majid missed the services of old reliables Arold Magat and Jay Liam but managed to hurdle the test in two cardiac games and win the crown.

Friday, Uncle Majid and Hassan Zeineddein’s Guards swapped runs in the last two quarters. Guards took a 60-56 lead to the fourth quarter and Uncle Majid grabbed a 67-66 lead before consecutive threes by Razon had Uncle Majid pulling away, 75-68 only to be dragged to a furious end-game battle which Magat’s boys won 81-79. The first game Thursday ended 81-80 in favor of Uncle Majid.

Present during the awards ceremony that followed the tournament’s last game was Mohamed Bayoumi, FBL adviser-consultant, friend of the Filipino community and proud recipient of the Presidential Banaag Award.

Bayoumi and FBL Commissioner Teng Laguialam handed out the trophies and awards during the ceremony.

Tournament major sponsor is Orient Watch -Al Husseini & Al Yahyah Investment Group. The other league backers are Western Union, LBC Cargo Hari ng Padala, Cruzado Perfume and Virgin Mobile.

Rodelon del Mundo, diaspora manager KSA to Southeast Asia, facilitated the Western Union support confirming partnership with the FBL. Marketing representative John Rebulado received FBL certificate of appreciation on behalf of Western Union.

The Basketball Referees Group (BRG) of Lito dela Cruz handled the tournament officiating.

The awards are as follows:

Above 40 Div. Champion: PhilCon E- Life — Mythical five Best Guards Nonoy Soliveres ( E- Life) Jomar Padilla (Friendster/ Cabalen); Best Forwards Bong Daudi (E- Life) Jojo Castillo (Friendster); Best Center Jepoy Dimalig (E- Life); M V P Nonoy Soliveres (E- Life) Best Coach Jameel (E- Life)

Non Rated Div. Champion: Friendster/ new Cabalen Restaurant — Mythical five Best Guards Padernal (Friendster) Hakeem Asmad ( Pinky’z ) Best Forwards Rey Razon ( Friendster) Jonas (Pinky’z) Best Center Bersoza (Friendster) M V P Razon (Friendster); Best Coach - Chris Melebo/ Amang Catador

Open Rated B Reinforced Div. Champion: Uncle Majed/ Paninos — Mythical five Best Guards Said Elbahi (Uncle Majid) M. Mughraby (Jeddah Guards) Best Forwards Mursie Akad (Uncle Majid) Zacaria Al Baba (Guards) Best Center Joseph Ubalde (Uncle Majid) MVP Akad (Uncle Majid); Best Coach Francis “Franz” Magat