KSA - Constructors top Medics in Game 1 of EPBL Final

Roberto Quiambao's 21 points wins the day for the Jubail-based dribblers

FAN NEWS (by Romeo Navidad, Sportingo) - After suffering a scoring slump before the playoffs, prized cager Roberto Quiambao regained his shooting form to lead Al-Rushaid Construction Company in a lopsided win in dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Quiamao led al-Rushaid over erstwhile conquerors, King Fahd Military Medical Complex, 117-84, in Game 1 of the best-of-three title series in the Inter-Compay Rated Class of the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup, hosted by the Eastern Province Basketball League at the jam-packed Al-Ettifaq Club.

Quiambao had 21 points, eight of them in a first-period breakaway that turned things around for the Jubail-based dribblers

Al Misehal Group and Isam Kabbani and Partners Group are the major sponsors of the Commissioner’s Cup supported by Hoshan Office Automation and Phuket Restaurant.

It was a one-sided affair as the Medics could not match the intensity and determination of the Erectors.

Expected to sweep the finals, ARCC’s bench joined the cause with 32-2 scoring advantage.

Player/Coach Isnoor Manabilang anchored a desperate 6-0 run midway in the third quarter when they trailed 48-62 with 4:12 left in the period. But this was the only threat they could muster as Marvin Caling, who had a team high 24 points, knocked in successive jumpers to key an 8-2 counter salvo that would keep KFMMC at bay.

ARCC’S Tommy Reyes had also 20 points, while Rodel Regidor led KFMMC with 28 points capped by three consecutive treys with 2:30 remaining and ARCC’s lead is already out of reach.

AL HOTY 90; AL FALAK 85 – Nelson Sambajon recorded his fifth 40-plus points game in the conference as Al Hoty beats Al Falak System Solution, 90-85, in Game 1 of Inter-Company Non-Rated B-Class.

Fouling out with the game on the line, Sambajon simply passed on the scoring duties to Vic Calub who provided the finishing kick down the stretch for the victory.

Calub finished with a huge 20-point performance while ace guard Bong Arevalo and veteran Boy Sese added 10 and 12 points, respectively.

Julian Alfonso, the 6’2” slotman of Al Falak, was held to only 2 points and was in foul trouble in the early going. Arnold Sta. Ana had 31 points but not enough to maintain the momentum in the fourth quarter after erasing a 54-64 third quarter deficit.

PANDA 62; AL TUWAIRQI 58 - Panda Aziziyah continued their dominance over defending champions, Al Tuwairqi, with a 62-58 decision in Inter-Company Non-Rated A-Class.

Panda’s Zaldy Arances led the attack with his terrific shooting. He finished with 25 points while Carpio and Macloy Osio had 16 and 11 points, respectively. Rene Vic Jalop led the Tuwairqi’s with 14 points.

Al Tuwairqi’s awesome trio of Albert Salado, Roderick Gamil and defender Julio Villanueva did not play. Despite their depleted lineup, the steel producers gave Panda a run for their money in a game highlighted by 6 deadlocks and 8 lead changes. Game 2 is scheduled Friday at 11:15AM.

RIZAL PIRATES 109; ACEC CONSULTANTS 102 – Richard Aienle erupted with five triples for a game high 27 points as the Rizal Pirates booted multi-titlist ACEC Consultants, 109-102 and paved the way for the Pirates’ first ever trip to the Best-of-Three finals in the Premiere League against the waiting Philippine Society of Safety Engineers.

As the championship begins this Friday, the Pirates knew they had the game and the grit to win it all.

After a 60-49 point lead at the half, the Pirates lowered their defenses allowing the Consultants to inch closer at 82-79 going into the fourth. But with the game tied at 95-all with 4:20 remaining, lanky slotman Ahmed Samater had a clutch basket, Aienle had five points while guard Bong Garcia and defender Joey Julaton collected points from the line in the dying seconds to seal the victory.

ARCAN VITA 82; MAZDA 75 – Jay Samson and Marco Vital scored 27 and 21 points, respectively to lift Arcan Vita past the undermanned Mazda five, 82-75, to arrange a Best of Three finale against Saudi Techint.

The highly favored Mazda began the tournament with a 5-0 card in the eliminations only to lose three consecutive games in the semis, two of these losses came in the hands of the Arcans.

With Mazda’s leading scorers Marvin Maniago out on injury and Joey Landicho’s failure to suit up, all Arcan Coach Archie Montecalbo had to do is show up and take advantage of their opponents lack of firepower for a first trip to the EPBL Finals.

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