NPC, Flash Cargo face off in FABA Dream Games

A potentially explosive showdown between heavyweights NPC and Flash Cargo Riyadh All Star in the Premier League Division highlights today’s six-game bill in the second week of hostilities in the FABA Kingdom Dream Games 2013 basketball tournament at the Al Nahda Sports Club here.
The teams face off in the fourth game at 12 noon.
“No way of turning back our mission is to bring home the bacon by all means at all costs.”
Thus did Flash Cargo franchise owner & general manager of Arnold dela Cruz throw down the gauntlet at his rivals a week before the big match.
NPC, however, seems to be unfazed by the Flash Cargo challenge. Veteran coach Gil Rivera and team coordinator Max De Guzman are both confident that they are better than their rival because of the presence of the bankable duo of ex-PBA players Melvin Mamaclay, 6-foot-5, formerly of Sta Sta Lucia and Jessie Cabanayan 5-foot-9 formerly of Pure Foods, in addition to 6-foot-6 Ariel Layug and 6-foot-7 James Razon, both from Adamson University, and Anthony Nabong, 6-foot-3, formerly of Pangasinan Presidents in the defunct MBA.
To carry the load for Flash Cargo is a slew of marquee players in Riyadh namely Rhoel Asay, Andrew Vallejo, Donie Mañalac, Ninno Lauriaga, Carlo Hall, Sherwin Garcia, Erwin Villafuerte, Jaime Hernandez, Eman Santos, Angkie Angeles, Manuel Villanueva, June Cortez, Archie Zabala and Raymond Alcasabas. The team also boasts of 6-foot-5 Lebanese national Osama Emam.
Flash Cargo coach Arnel Legaspi assured the fans of a good fight from the visiting team and that they will surely enjoy the game.
This four and a half months competition is sponsored by Hempel Paints Saudi Arabia (Golden Sponsor), NCB Quickpay, Land Bank of the Philippines and Bangus Restaurant (Silver Sponsors), Trans Saudi Travel & Tour Agency (Bronze Sponsor), McDonald’s, Aujan and Almarai.
Saudi Diesel of coach Edgar Vergineza handed Petromin Oil of manager Wilson “Butch” Pablo a second straight defeat. The scoreline was 66-49. Marvin Gonzales was selected best player of the game with 19 points. Easternpak denied KFMMC’s bid to improve its standing with an 82-77 victory in their match.
It was in the last canto of the ball game when the team of coach Sherwin Reyes collapsed in the face of heads-up plays by the trio of Oliver Ramos, Cris Magno and Russel Mutuc who all scored in double figures.
Mutuc was named best player of the game.
KFMMC drew dynamic performances from Isnor Manabilang (26 points), Boyet Sanchez and Dennis Gragasin, who combined for 32 points, to no avail.
In other games, RHM whipped Abdul Karim Score 87-76, Hempel Paints dumped Vallourec 66-54, Petrofac Co. beat Mustang Score 56-50, Zamil Offshore downed Al Hajry Co. 59-48, and ACGC upset Nesma 91-81.
Games today:
7 a.m. UD Wolves vs. Chance Team (Non-Rated B), 8:30 a.m. Sigma Paints vs. Diesel-Hajry (Above 40), 10 a.m. Coasma vs. Easternpak (Inter-Company 2), 12 noon NPC vs. Flash Cargo (Premier League) 4 p.m. IPSA Parent vs. Pampanga Falcons (Non-Rated-A), 5:30 p.m. Al Khorayef vs. Aldul Karim (Inter-Company 3).