KSA - Isam Kabbani too hot for the defending champs

DAMMAM (EPBL) – Isam Kabbani & Patners scored another huge upset, scuttling the highly favored and defending champion ARCC-EEI, 79-65, over in the elimination round of the on-going 19th Eastern Province Basketball League "Advisor Cup 2006" at the crowded Al Ettifaq Sports Club here.

Hot shot Anthony Cabotaje scored a game high 34 points, while Jerald Mendoza scattered 15 points and guard Jasfer Ian Ferreras pumped in 12 points to give Isam Kabbani a second-leading 2-0 win-loss log.

"Everybody played well offensively and defensively," noted Kabbani coach Willy Poblete. "In the last quarter, I want to stop them from pressing but the players won't. I saw their willingness that they wanted to win."

"It looks like that we're peaking up," described Poblete. "After the last conference, we assessed our game plan and execute the best play to beat ARCC, and now it seems we are heading competitively in the title this time."

Isam Kabbani started strong in the early going, dropping a crippling 11-1 bomb in the start of the game and firing another burst, a 7-0 blast midway, to carve out a comfortable 17-10 lead with 1:12 to go in the first period.

After a slow start, the defending champion tried to bounce back in the second quarter with Roberto Quiambao, Jordan Dela Pena, and reigning MVP Dominic Apelo taking turns and melting an 11-point deficit to a manageable 39-31 halftime disadvantage.

But the high spirited Isam Kabbani didn't collapse in the third quarter and still held a big margin after the defensive-minded Gara Palacielo and Ronald Guianan scored the necessary baskets that mattered most to build a 60-51 lead heading into the final frame.

ARCC had its last stand in the middle of the final period as Renato Guinto and swingman Hermegildo Natad answered back to slash the deficits within seven, 65-58, in the last three minutes and 34 seconds.

But Cabotaje made a reverse lay-up and converted three consecutive trey to stop the run then Lito Villanueva followed it up with two charities for a 77-62 count with less than a minute to go. After that, both teams exchanged baskets to give Isam Kabbani enough edge to take the much-needed victory.

Togs Palacielo scored 10 points in the Isam Kabbani’s balanced scoring assault, while Norman Nagaliza and Guianan had nine 4 points apiece.

The ARCC squad, who slid to 2-1, were led by Quiambao with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Dela Pena and Raymund Ortencio 11 and 14 points.

Other game results, HAACO Gentec dumped 66-65, Rawabi Holding Company defeated Bader of Jubail 99-84, Kudu Restaurant mercilessly trashed Rezayat Bulldogs 84-53, Philippine Society of Safety Engineers whipped Phuket Restaurant 92-81, Jal International ambushed King Abdul Aziz Air Base 72-48.

by KIM G. CORTEZ
FIBA Correspondent in Saudi Arabia