KSA - Cosma and Al-Hoty stun rivals

DAMMAM (EPBL) - Construction Services and Maintenance (COSMA) and Al-Hoty could usher in a new era of many changes in the prestigious Eastern Province Basketball League as they both survived scary moments to beat their elimination round rivals at the Al-Ettifaq Club Gymnasium here.

Jasper Ian Fererras came up big in the last quarter with 9 points to help COSMA in a come-from-behind 100-88 win against Jubail's Al Suwaidi Holdings Company to remain unbeaten in two games in the Inter-Company Rated Division. In contrasting fashion, Nelson Sambajon went coast-to-coast with 4.1 seconds left to surprise Inter Company Bonafide Champion Al Tuwairqi Group with a 70-69 decision for their first win.

Al-Suwaidi led for the most part entering the final quarter holding a 70-67 advantage. It all downhill from that point on as Thogs Palacielo and Fererras ignited a 6-3 run to tie at 73-all and shift the momentum to COSMA.

Al Suwaidi kept it close and regained the lead at 80-79 with more than 4 minutes remaining but that was the last breath the Suwaidi's can have as the never say die defending champions, COSMA, dropped an 8-0 bomb to give the Jubail cagers its second consecutive loss in as many outings.

"They had more at stake to win the game but we have so much pride in us. We made a couple of big stops and one big defensive play down the stretch that made the difference for us," COSMA's Tommy de Castro said.

Fererras finished with 18 points and 4 assists to facilitate a balanced scoring of COSMA's starters, all of which scored in double digits. It is an early celebration for birthday boy Anthony Cabotaje who led all scorers with 29 points. Gerald Mendoza had 17, and Thogs and Gara Palacielo added 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Noel Intal paced Al-Suwaidi with 23 points but was scoreless in final 10 minutes. . Allet added 15 and Gibson de Leon chipped in 14 points.

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

In another thriller, Al Hoty Group displayed a remarkable comeback with a hearth-stopping 70-69 win over defending champion Al Tuwairqi Group courtesy of Sambajon's easy basket before the buzzer.

Only three players managed to score for Al-Hoty in the fourth period while the rest pounced on their opponents at the defensive end to overcome an 11-point deficit in the final 3 minutes.

Sambajon was at his best with a career high 44 points and 8 rebounds to lead all scorers while Vic Calub added 17 points and playmaker Bong Arevalo drilled in 9 points for Al-Hoty.

It was a dismal loss for the defending champs who came in as tournament favorites.

Arthur Aquino and Teddy Lonzaga led Al-Tuwairqi's with 14 and 13 points respectively.

In another game, Dammam Central Hospital Dragons kept the town abuzz after a remarkable 88-71 win over Tanajib General Contracting; Al Falak edged Jarir Bookstore 57-53; and Panda dumped SINTEC/SOGEC 78-61.

By Romeo O. Navidad
FIBA Correspondent in Saudi Arabia