KSA - Mazda and Panda dumps formidable foes

DAMMAM (EPBL) - Mazda was again at its best as it run past arch rival Arcan Vita, 93-89, and remain unbeaten in two outings in the third week of elimination round in the 20th Eastern Province Basketball League's Commissioners Cup in front of another raucous crowd at jampacked Al-Ettifaq Club Gymnasium here Friday.

Slotman Joey Landicho came off the bench and had to dig deep into his arsenal to overcome some scary moments down the stretch finishing with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists in 30 minutes of quality play.

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.

From a 24-all deadlock in the first quarter, Wingman Sam Clemente waxed hot with eight second quarter points to give Arcan a 12 point lead at the half, 56-44

Mazda slowly found themselves regrouping in the third with big man Marvin Maniago's inside play and ace guard Aldwin Bauyon connecting two triples to trim the lead at 74-67 entering the final frame.

With contrasting wins in their opening games this season, both teams squared off employing very tight defense and entertaining the crowd with four lead changes and nine deadlocks.

Landicho converted 8 points in Mazda's 12-4 fourth quarter run to grab the lead at 79-78 with 4:11 left but Jhun Moneva fired a wide-open trey to give Arcan back the lead 81-79. Both teams traded baskets in the next three minutes until Mazda started collecting points from the line. Maniago went 2-of-2 off Sherman Mendiola's foul while Bauyon split his charity for an 87-84 lead with less than two minutes left.

Danny Papag found Moneva for another open trey to tie at 87-all forcing Mazda to sue for time. In the ensuing play luck turned to Mazda's favor when Bauyon suddenly changed a setplay for Maniago inside after seeing an open Ferdie Batang for a easy basket, 89-87, with 1:27 remaining. On the return play, Maniago blocked Clemente's try from under the basket but the landed into the hands of Papag for a jumper that recorded the ninth deadlock at 89-all with 47 ticks left in the match.

Bauyon then split the middle for a 91-89 lead. With 27 seconds remaining, Arcan's hopes went up in smoke when Papag made a crucial turnover as he was called for a traveling violation with 17 seconds left. Maniago sealed Mazda's victory by converting two free throws for the final margin.

"Arcan is a very strong team and it's a good challenge for us, the guys out there simply did not give up and we're very determined to win the game" stressed Mazda's guard, Raymund Rosales.

Clemente finished with a career best 23 points.

In the other game, Panda Aziziyah proved that they are again the team to beat in the Inter Company Bonafide Division as they outclassed erstwhile mainstayers, Al Hoty, 92-79, in a lopsided affair.

The titlist in last year's first conference, Panda was forced to drop highly-rated guard Rahmuddin Macasampen from its roster after a recent re-classification issued by the EPBL Board. Ronald Composa ably filled up Macasampen's absence as the reserve guard orchestrated Panda's balanced offensive.

Forward Zaldy Arances topped all scorers with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists for Panda.

Al Hoty missed the leadership of veteran playmaker Boy Sese down the stretch as the team failed to shift momentum after falling 17-18 in the early goings.

Bench scoring favored Panda, 17-8, and they register a 41-of-72 shooting clip against Al Hoty's 32-of-70.

Macloy Osio and Michael Antonio added 16 points apiece for the Panda while Gilbert Curva and Nelson Sambajon had 24 and 19 points respectively for Al Hoty.

Meanwhile the Ilocos Snipers notched their first win against the Dammam Central Hospital Dragons 79-62; SOGEC/SINTEC surprised Al Majdouie 66-50; COSMA defeated KFMMC 85-67; Al Tuwairqi turned back Al-Falak 83-63 and Saudi Paper won 76-65 against Jarir Bookstore.

By Romeo O. Navidad
FIBA Correspondent in Saudi Arabia