FIBA Basketball
KSA - 34 teams enter in 19th EPBL
DAMMAM (EPBL) - Thirty-four teams joined the parade as the 19th Eastern Province Basketball League (EPBL) - 1st Open Conference 2006 opened at the jampacked Al Ettifaq Sports Club in this city. The comebacking
DAMMAM (EPBL) - Thirty-four teams joined the parade as the 19th Eastern Province Basketball League (EPBL) - 1st Open Conference 2006 opened at the jampacked Al Ettifaq Sports Club in this city.
The comebacking Al Suwaidi Holding Company from Ras Tanura took the Best Uniform plum while National Pipe Company and Isam Kabbani & Partners came in close as Runners Up.
EPBL Advisor Rashed Al Hatllan thanked all the particpating teams and the Organizing Committees headed by newly elected Commissioner Gil Garcia for their dedication and all-out support for the success of EPBL's initial presentation this year.
"This is going to be the biggest event of its kind in this region, if not in the entire kingdom based on what we've seen so far", said Garcia.
"Other sports organization come and go, but EPBL remain intact and continue serving the community as we are celebrating another milestone", added by Al Hatllan.
The opening ceremonies was hosted by professional sports commentator from DWRZ-FM Radio 95.5 Legazpi City, Muhammad Albert Martinez, who voluntarilly offered his services for the benefit of the event.
Mary Grace Martinez from Arabian Consulting Engineering Centre (ACEC - D' Consultants) bested other candidates for the Best Muse Award while Rona Sonsona from Isam Kabbani and Karen Carlos from Jarir Bookstore complete the entourage.
Most Organized Team was awarded to Isam Kabbani & Partners, while three lucky spectators took the raffle prizes courtesy of Hoshan Automation.
In the curtain-raiser, the mighty ACEC - D' Consultant squad woke up just in time to stop a rally by crowd-favorites, Kudu Restaurant Riyadh All Star Selection, and escape with a heart-stopping 98-72 win in the Premier League.
With ace gunner Ishnoor Manabilang displaying ball tricks on his defenders, the trio of Allan De Castro, Rolly Bisda and Mon Hernandez took care of the scoring department while Dennis Bonilla, Adel Kaddoura and White Datungputi pounded the boards for the runaway victory.
Riyadh sensation Jojo Custodio led Kudu Restaurant with his scoring foray in the early going, while reigning Inter Company MVP Braian Datu added 16 points.
With their throngs of fans cheering wildly, slotman Vic Dizo started to assert his hulking frame inside the paint after teammate Ador Aguinaldo sank consecutive baskets while Julius Morales and Jackson Haten orchestrated the Restaurateurs offensive to ignite a searing rally early in fourth.
Seeing his team on the brink of collapse, Ex-PBL Batangas Blades Allan De Castro took the scoring cudgels for D' Consultants with his notable inside incursions as he teamed up with Rolly Bisda and Ishnoor Manabilang chipping in 23 and 16 points respectively.
For Kudu's part, Orly Casimiro attributed their loss to the jitters his players felt for being first-timers in such a big league. "Its our first time to step foot in this hardcourt and it took a while before we got our bearings."
The victory gave ACEC the psychological edge to win the Premier League category in which National Pipe Company dominated for so long, to which Casimiro was quick to add, "It's a long tournament. Pride is at stake here. I promise you, we'll get back at them next time."
Particpating teams from the Premier League are, Kudu Restaurant Riyadh All Star, Al Nahda Saudi Club, ACEC- D' Consultants, Phuket Restaurant and National Pipe Company. Division II Rated B Class has SFCCL, KRB, Rawabi Holding Co., Phuket Restaurant, Carlson Forwarders, Division C, ACEC, Phuket Restaurant, SFCCL, UMA - Envoy, Haier Rockets, Bigen Prominous, Hugayet Company, MAZDA adn Arcan Vita. The Inter Company Division teams are ARCC - EEI, Al Suwaidi Holding, CCC, Isam Kabbani, FMQ Sons Co., Nesma Contracting, Kudu Restaurant, Jarir Bookstore, Al Hoty Stanger, JAL International, Saudi Paper Company, Al Fallak Sytem Solutions, Rezayat Bulldogs, Azizia Panda and Al Bustan.
In the initial battle for the Inter Company category, Rezayat Bulldogs of Udhalliyah shocked Al Bustan with an 68-59 upset. Isam Kabbani defeated CCC from Abu Hadriyah,100-84 , while come-backing ARCC-EEI of Juaymah defeated Al Suwaidi Holding Company, 81-71.
KIM G. CORTEZ
The comebacking Al Suwaidi Holding Company from Ras Tanura took the Best Uniform plum while National Pipe Company and Isam Kabbani & Partners came in close as Runners Up.
EPBL Advisor Rashed Al Hatllan thanked all the particpating teams and the Organizing Committees headed by newly elected Commissioner Gil Garcia for their dedication and all-out support for the success of EPBL's initial presentation this year.
"This is going to be the biggest event of its kind in this region, if not in the entire kingdom based on what we've seen so far", said Garcia.
"Other sports organization come and go, but EPBL remain intact and continue serving the community as we are celebrating another milestone", added by Al Hatllan.
The opening ceremonies was hosted by professional sports commentator from DWRZ-FM Radio 95.5 Legazpi City, Muhammad Albert Martinez, who voluntarilly offered his services for the benefit of the event.
Mary Grace Martinez from Arabian Consulting Engineering Centre (ACEC - D' Consultants) bested other candidates for the Best Muse Award while Rona Sonsona from Isam Kabbani and Karen Carlos from Jarir Bookstore complete the entourage.
Most Organized Team was awarded to Isam Kabbani & Partners, while three lucky spectators took the raffle prizes courtesy of Hoshan Automation.
In the curtain-raiser, the mighty ACEC - D' Consultant squad woke up just in time to stop a rally by crowd-favorites, Kudu Restaurant Riyadh All Star Selection, and escape with a heart-stopping 98-72 win in the Premier League.
With ace gunner Ishnoor Manabilang displaying ball tricks on his defenders, the trio of Allan De Castro, Rolly Bisda and Mon Hernandez took care of the scoring department while Dennis Bonilla, Adel Kaddoura and White Datungputi pounded the boards for the runaway victory.
Riyadh sensation Jojo Custodio led Kudu Restaurant with his scoring foray in the early going, while reigning Inter Company MVP Braian Datu added 16 points.
With their throngs of fans cheering wildly, slotman Vic Dizo started to assert his hulking frame inside the paint after teammate Ador Aguinaldo sank consecutive baskets while Julius Morales and Jackson Haten orchestrated the Restaurateurs offensive to ignite a searing rally early in fourth.
Seeing his team on the brink of collapse, Ex-PBL Batangas Blades Allan De Castro took the scoring cudgels for D' Consultants with his notable inside incursions as he teamed up with Rolly Bisda and Ishnoor Manabilang chipping in 23 and 16 points respectively.
For Kudu's part, Orly Casimiro attributed their loss to the jitters his players felt for being first-timers in such a big league. "Its our first time to step foot in this hardcourt and it took a while before we got our bearings."
The victory gave ACEC the psychological edge to win the Premier League category in which National Pipe Company dominated for so long, to which Casimiro was quick to add, "It's a long tournament. Pride is at stake here. I promise you, we'll get back at them next time."
Particpating teams from the Premier League are, Kudu Restaurant Riyadh All Star, Al Nahda Saudi Club, ACEC- D' Consultants, Phuket Restaurant and National Pipe Company. Division II Rated B Class has SFCCL, KRB, Rawabi Holding Co., Phuket Restaurant, Carlson Forwarders, Division C, ACEC, Phuket Restaurant, SFCCL, UMA - Envoy, Haier Rockets, Bigen Prominous, Hugayet Company, MAZDA adn Arcan Vita. The Inter Company Division teams are ARCC - EEI, Al Suwaidi Holding, CCC, Isam Kabbani, FMQ Sons Co., Nesma Contracting, Kudu Restaurant, Jarir Bookstore, Al Hoty Stanger, JAL International, Saudi Paper Company, Al Fallak Sytem Solutions, Rezayat Bulldogs, Azizia Panda and Al Bustan.
In the initial battle for the Inter Company category, Rezayat Bulldogs of Udhalliyah shocked Al Bustan with an 68-59 upset. Isam Kabbani defeated CCC from Abu Hadriyah,100-84 , while come-backing ARCC-EEI of Juaymah defeated Al Suwaidi Holding Company, 81-71.
KIM G. CORTEZ