KSA - ACEC, Arcan Vita keeps series alive in EPBL

DAMMAM (Eastern Province Basketball League) - Arabian Consulting Engineering Centre leaned on Eldrin Simpass and Leo Sarcon to outlast SAPMT-Abqaiq, 89-74, in League C in the elimination round of Eastern Province Basketball League's 2006 Open Conference at the jam-packed Al Ettifaq Sports Club.

Protecting a slim 59-54 lead, Sarcon, never a factor in the team's previous wins, suddendly nailed consecutive baskets to give the Consultants a 67-54 breather midway in the third canto.

SAPMT swingman Resty Ramirez retaliated quickly with a tough lay-up but that proved to be their last stand as Manny Camba drained another triple that made it 81-68 with only 1:16 remaining taking the sting out of the Abqaiq dribblers.

"We surprised them with our zone defense. I'm happy too with the performance of our new recruits," said team organizer Ricky Eledia. "We have to keep playing like this to advance to the semis".

Improving their record to 3-3, the Consultants must win three of their remaining games to clinch an outright semis berth. SAPMT fell to 2-4.

As expected, Erwin Solomon led SAPMT with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and a block. He was ably assisted by Jorex Laurente, Michel So, Vicente Versoza and Michael Almirol who combined for 42 points.

Sarcon led the victors with 23 points. Simpass drilled in 20 points, while Aldwin Bauyon, Adolf Diaz and Manny Camba conbined for 36 points.

In another League C match, Arcan Vita beat UMA Envoy, 116-107.

The remarkable shotmaking ability of Jun Moneva and inside plays of Jerold Arguson, Sherman Mendiola and Elvin Apuyan proved too much for the Envoys to handle.

Apuyan made 10 of his 20 points in the third period and came up with two crucial blocks in the homestretch as he teamed up with Moneva in wreaking havoc inside out a decisive fourth quarter run. Arguson added 11 points while Mendiola and Toto Anacio chipped in 10 points apiece.

While the Envoys controlled the boards and led by as much as 7 points in the third quarter, the boys of Julius Isla failed to cool down the hot hand of Paul Blanca's ward.

Michael Herosa topscored for Envoy with 33 points while Edwin Villegas, Eduardo Dela Cruz and Jayson Aldovino combined for 58 points. 

In the Premier category, National Pipe Company and Phuket Restaurant continue their winning ways by trouncing separate opponents.

NPC edged ACEC Consultants 93-86 in a highly physical match resulting to the ejection of Edgar Bucalin after the prized Tarlac varsitarian threw an elbow on ACEC's Rolly Bisda.

Ex-pro Jessie Cabanayan, NPC's scoring leader, overcame a slow start but exploded in the final canto when the game is on the line. The silence of the fiery guard highlighted the raging duel between ex-MBA Anthony Nabong and ACEC's new recruit PBL Springs Cooking Oil Eldrin Simpass.

Cabanayan powered his team with 19 points, while Nabong and Bucalin made 16 and 18 points.

The Consultants team managers, Jun Eledia and Rolly Lozarito, got the good services from Rolly Bisda who delivered important baskets with 27 points including 4 triples, while Sky Walker Allan De Castro and Efren Valencia contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively.

ACEC's perimeter defense suffered a big blow early on when Lebanese sensation Adel Kaddoura was sent crashing to the floor grimacing in pain (ankle) following a rebound battle.

With NPC's rock solid defense and long range shooting by Jordan Sinio and Ramesh Ordan continuing in the final period, the ACEC five offered no challenge throughout the match.

In another Premier League action, Phuket Restaurant avenged its first round loss by shattering the dreams of Kudu through a heart breaking, 89-79, defeat.

One-time PBL Osaka cager Omar Asmad led the attack with a game high 39 points while the torrid tandem of Bong Garcia and Reynan Guinoo combined for 25 points.

Phuket's winning chances became imminent when Kudu's ace gunner Alvin Serrano, formerly of MBA's Pampanga Dragons, succumbed to a foot injury during a rebound play.

Acrobatic shooter Jojo Custodio led Kudu with 21 points, while Vic Dizo, Richard Hadlucon and Braian Datu combined for 41 points.

The festive Friday afternoon was graced by Filpop talents who provided entertainment during the ice breaker while lucky spectators went home with raffle prizes courtesy of EPBL.

Other game results, ARCC - EEI topped the Inter Company category after defeating Nesma Engineers in a lopsided match  94-58, SFCCL - Jubail nipped Mazda 93-53, while Al Bustan Company ambushed Jarir Bookstore 87-73.

By KIM G. CORTEZ
FIBA Correspondent in Saudi Arabia