KSA - Jal International, Kudu shines in EPBL opening day

DAMMAM (EPBL) – Twenty teams paraded with their splendid uniforms as the 19th Eastern Province Basketball League – Second Open Conference dubbed as “Advisor Cup” opened at the crowded Al Ettifaq Sports Club here.

Jal International claimed the coveted most organized team award while Pearl R. De Guzman and Mary Joy Rivera Atienza representing Jal International bested other contestants for the Miss EPBL Advisor Cup 2006. Darlene De Guzman from Rawabi Holding Company and Cherry Macaraeg of Al Fallak System Solutions were chosen as runners up.

Best in Uniform went to Rawabi Holding Company while K.R. Bouhaimed and ARCC-EEI share the spotlight as runners up.

The festive afternoon with AQ live band courtesy of Jal International entertained the crowd with their heart stopping performances.

Commissioner Gil Garcia welcomed and thanked the participating teams and guests for witnessing the tournament’s grand opening ceremonies.

“We will continue our commitment to bring fun, entertainment and balanced competition as we offer our devotion and total community service in the field of basketball,” said Garcia. “This is dedicated to our mentor, friend and long time community servant Rashed Al Hatllan whose enthusiasm in helping Filipinos through sports was his primary concern, that’s why we named this conference “Advisor Cup” to show our appreciation to the man”.

Al Hatllan, who is on assignment in the United States, missed the event.

The opening ceremonies were graced by Mansour Al Akeil, Jal International – General Manager, Hamdan Al Balushi, Saudi Aramco Renovation Division, Akeil M. Al Akeel Managing Director, and Abdulaziz Al Manosur Jal’s Human Resources Manager.

In the curtain-raiser, 2005 Inter-Company champion Kudu Restaurant forced Jal International squad to raise the white flag early on the way to a lopsided 74-52 triumph.

The Restaurateurs of Paul Casimiro found no problem at the start of the game, igniting a paralyzing 12-0 blast in the first period and delivered another scorching 17-4 bomb early in the second canto to post their biggest lead at 40-20 at the break.

Kudu kept their pesky defense working, controlled the boards and maintained their impeccable shooting touch all throughout to keep the lead for good. They finished with 16 assists against Jal’s 9.

"I told the boys to do their usual play, be confident and aggressive," said Casimiro. "Jal is a strong team and high spirited due to the morale support provided by their management and staff, they had huge supporters but we’re always a dark horse in this league, so we used that as one of our advantages in beating them."

"Thanks to my players for not taking Jal as an easy adversary. They just kept on running and showed our willingness to win," added Casimiro.

Workhorse Darwin Tecson, who topscored for Kudu with 24 points, started the attack with four field goals in the third frame including consecutive acrobatic moves in the last quarter while guard Larry Miranda drained three treys for a 54-36 lead with 7:21 left.

Ace wingman Jun Villarubia scored 12 points while slotman Jojo Tampos added six points and 14 rebounds. Rolly Roma chipped with 12 points.

Jay Ar Eleda, who scored 16 points and hauled down 10 rebounds, was the only player in double figures for Jal while Jal’s scoring machine Eliazon Avansado was limited to nine points.

In the Premier League, newcomer Philippine Society of Safety Engineers (PSSE) edged Rawabi Holding Company via a thrilling 99-96 win.

Despite the intimidating full court press by Rawabi, the boys of Peter Marfa and Bert Radan were hardly challenged nailing its first win.

PSSE, was anchored by ex-PBL Allan “Skywalker” De Castro with 36 points, Richard Aenlle with 18 points and with the rock solid defense by Boyet Katigbak and Louie Materiano who provided the inside muscle.

Rawabi’s Omar Asmad had a monster 40 points including four triples while Bong Garcia and Homer Pascual chipped in 12 and 14 points, respectively.

In another action, ARCC-EEI open their title defense by drubbing multi-titlist K.R. Bouhaimed 75-70 win.

ARCC’s Roberto Quiambao reintroduced himself big time by hitting crucial baskets that sealed their victory.

Quiambao powered his team with a game high 22 points while reigning MVP Dominic Apelo and Jordan Dela Pena added 16 and 14 points respectively.

KRB’slotman Rudy Hombria carried his team with 22 points while Noel Malibiran and Vinz Laysaon had 17 and 11 points.

KRB’s disappointing loss was evident when the Juaymah-based dribblers got their momentum and tied the game at 63-all with 4 minutes left while the KRB five turned cold and committed errors in the crucial stretch of the match.

by KIM G. CORTEZ
FIBA Correspondent in Saudi Arabia