RIYADH: Aziziah suffered an upset 76-45 defeat by Wardeh while Shemesy and Yamama triumphed anew in the 12th week of action in the Siglakas International Riyadh South District Unity Cup Basketball Tournament 2012 at the Dunes Compound Filipino Community basketball court in Olaya Thalateen area here.

TJ Ferrer scored a game-high 31 points and, teaming with Jam Tababa, Allan Lauron, Zaldy Caranto and Jubail Navarro, helped improve the record of coach Arson Pamintuan’s Wardeh team to 3-2. It was the first loss in four games for undermanned Aziziah of Willy Abdon.

Top gunner Chris Mangibin fired 40 big points as Shemesy overcame a solid challenge by Farazdaq of Robert Mendoza in a 90-88 victory. Cris Aborde’s Shemesy team behind Mangibin, Reniel Ebora, Rusty Rabe, Bobby Garcia and Jonare Lat took a 26-15 first quarter lead and sat on a 49-39 spread at the turn.

Farazdaq rode the momentum of a 28-19 run anchored by Joseph Cruz, Robert Gana, Elmer Tajer, Raulin Crisologo and Ariel Batucal to end the quarter trailing Shemesy by just one 68-67.

It was a see-saw battle during the final period. With the scores tied at 88, Mangibin was fouled with 8 seconds left and converted two charity shots. After an inbound, Cruz was unable to mount a final offensive for Farazdaq.

Ronnie Maninang maneuvered and made gusty drives, Ricky Vargas scored inside the paint while Rolly Talaban, Jessie Borden and Tommy Tayam dished out good assists as Yamama overwhelmed Artec 79-49.

Artec, led by Rene Obejo with 19 points, surged to a 13-7 lead. But that was just about it as coach Noel Malayo’s Yamama cagers bounced back to close the second quarter at 29-27 and increase the lead to 11 to end the third quarter at 53-42. From there, they never looked back as Yamama took the top spot with a 5-1 record. Artec stayed winless in five matches.

Team standings – Group A: KFH 4-1, Dunes 3-1, Industrial 3-2, Recs1 2-2, Khazzan 2-2, Dumez Kings 2-3 and Senayah 0-5. Group B: Yamama 5-1, Shemesy 4-1, Aziziah 3-1, Roma 2-2, Farazdaq 2-3, Wardeh 3-2, Artec 0-5 and Al Kharj 0-4.

The scores:

Wardeh (76) TJ Ferrer 31, J. Tababa 12, A. Lauron 7, Z. Caranto 6, J. Navarro 5, M. Domingo 5, D. Roque 4, A. Nuguid 4, A. Pamintuan 2

Aziziah Team (45) E. Bien 14, E. Josue 11, R. Galit 9, J. Magbanua 7, RJ Magbanua 4

Shemesy (90) C. Mangibin 40, R. Ebora 13, R. Rabe 11, J. Lat 6, B. Garcia 5, B. Daguplo 3, Cris. Aborde 2, E. Mamasig 2, Crisvin Aborde 2, J. Coprado 2

Farazdaq (88) J. Cruz 29, R. Gana 15, N. Yntig 12, E. Tajer 11, R. Crisologo 8, A. Batucal 8, R. Dela Cruz 3, J. Guillermo 2

Yamama (79) R. Maninang 26, R. Vargas 20, J. Borden 6, T. Tayam 6, R. Hilig 5, D. Tubije 5, R. Talaban 4, J. Delos Santos 4, D. Enriquez 3

Artec (49) R. Obejo 19, A. Barayuga 10, E. Martin 8, D. Valdez 8, K. Bentola 4