KSA - Alireza Tigers nails first win in UFSA-DBL Fiesta Conference

DAMMAM (UFSA-DBL)- Fahd Alireza Tigers representing NCR used a strong start and mightily finished off Dar Masharea Cordillera, 88-79 for its first victory as the tournament enter its second week of the elimination round in the on-going Luzviminda Cup category of the United Filipino Sports Association-Dammam Basketball League (UFSA-DBL) at the Al Nahda, Sports Club here. 

All star Rolly Bisda poured in a game-high 22 points, While Jun De Rama and Ex-Mapua Cardinals Christian Guevarra added 14 and 13 points respectively, for the first test of combining star studded line up in a very tight game. 

"Our endgame execution was beautiful," said team mentor Anton De Leon. "That's the ingredients that we're looking for, a good finishing kick. The Cordillera team tried its best to overcome our stiff challenges, but we held them off because of that." 

Bisda joined Alex Bautista and Guevarra in the last five-minute mark to team up for a blistering 22-8 burst that transformed a close contest at 64-62 before the final quarter. The Tigers displayed a solid defense in the remaining minutes to hold off their rivals. 

Newly Wed Zaldy Patanao has something to celebrate as well after adding 13 points, while center Anis Barki took charge in the shaded lane with 8 points and 11 rebounds. 

The Cordillera Stars started to wake up as defendable Leo Estayo and Louie Dela Cruz scored a three-point consecutive play in the start of third to pull closer within three, 57-54, time down to 8:45 left there. 

After a series of plays, the veterans of the growling Tigers took over as Guevarra, De Rama, and Bisda initiated an 11-0 surge that bridged the fourth quarter and earned their team an 81-70 lead with still four minutes to go. 

The Cordillera Stars tried to spark a comeback as they controlled the boards with their tenacious rebounding. Ricky Lucero and Louie Materiano's sporadic shooting were all in vain as the boys of Apostol Briones and Freddie Limos managed team cooled down at crunch time.

Estayo scored 22 points while Lucero and Materiano contributed 18 and 16 points, respectively.

The tournament is being sponsored by ahd Alireza Engineering Consultants and Universal Motors Agencies, supported by Trading Est. of Al Bahar distributor of W.L. Super Bawang, Skyfreight Forwarders, Smart GMA Pinoy Plus, and Mc Donald's Resturant.

Other game results, ACEC Consultants thrashed Derbas Nuggets 72-54, Kettaneh Construction downed IPSA 79-64, Merkaz Daggers defeated Pathfinder 78-61, Jazeerah Ford outplayed Nalco 71-43, Nesma Holding trounced Eastern Pak 69-58.

Games officiated by Basketball Referee Association of Dammam.

By Kim G. Cortez
FIBA official correspondent in Saudi Arabia