FIBA Basketball
KSA - Nesma, Mazda soar rivals in EPBL tourney
DAMMAM (EPBL) - New comer Nesma Contracting won a must-win game againts reigning Inter-Company champion Kudu Restaurant 84-83, as the Eastern Province Basketball League (EPBL) ellimination round continued
DAMMAM (EPBL) - New comer Nesma Contracting won a must-win game againts reigning Inter-Company champion Kudu Restaurant 84-83, as the Eastern Province Basketball League (EPBL) ellimination round continued at the crowded Al Ettifaq Sports Club in this city.
Nesma five allowed Kudu Restaurant to heat things up a bit before taking control of the match and romp with heartstopping victory.
The Restaurateur led in the first quarter with ace Jun Villarubia sinking consecutive baskets to carve his personal best of 21 points, while teammates Rolly Roma and Joseph Terec chipped in 19 and 18 points respectively.
Nesma squad relied on the hot hands of ace gunner Rey Balmes who staged the team's comeback in the second quarter and wowed the crowd with his impressive shooting.
Balmes banged in 26 points as teammates Anthony Frias and Egyptian sensation Mustafah Saidi added 18 and 25 points respectively.
The exciting match recorded several deadlock and 11 lead changes, before Nesma cagers took control of the boards in the crucial setting and secured its victory.
"I never doubted my players, I owe this game to Balmes who showed brilliant performance in defense and offense" said Nesma team coach Rene Manuel.
In lone Division C,Haji Alireza - Mazda eked out an 82-68 victory over the Phuket Restaurant in their first outing.
Playmaker and three point specialist Richmond Ocado led Mazda's balanced attack in the crucial minutes scoring 8 of his 20 total points in the last four minutes of the exciting match.
Phuket Restaurant started hot in the first half but the boys of Utog Satol and Dannie Diamante answered back in the third canto when slotman Ferdie Batang and Rookie Mel Yap took charge to close the gap, 50-44, going into the fourth. Batang scored 15 points while Yap contributed 11 points.
Mazda five came out strong in the final quarter when Marvin Vibar, Jun Bacay and Jojo Romero joined the scoring foray contributing 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively while Phuket's ace gunners Reynan Guinoo and wingman Erwin Mallari and Wlliam Solano turned cold.
Phuket five gallantly fought back in the last quarter but could not match the high intensity of Mazda.
"Phuket Restaurant are composed of talented players ready to explode anytime they want, that's why I ask my boys to pressure them and give their best in the critical moment of this game. That's the key," said Satol.
When asked about his team's performance, Phuket's prized coach, Dong Bautista said, "We played very poor in this game. I am sure we will be back with a vengeance."
In the Premier League showcasing experience versus youth, National Pipe Company beat the up and coming All Saudi cagers of Al Nahda Club, 89-69, despite Saudi National team member Fahad Ali's 32 points.
NPC's ex-PBA San Miguel Beer Arnold Calo led all scorers with 22 points including 4 triples while former National University Bulldog Romwell Lampituc contributed 18 points and Jordan Sinio 18 points.
With their more experienced opponents taking them lightly, the Al Nahda Club jumped on the gun in the early going as Adil Yuans and Fahad Al Drees wowed the crowd with their inside-out snipings.
As both teams traded baskets in the second period, Ali Rabia and Yassen Mubarak found their shooting touch and joined the youngsters' scoring foray.
Seeing their youthful opponents getting the momentum, ex-pro Jessie Cabanayan and MBA stalwart Anthony Nabong took the scoring cudgels and proved unstoppable from the perimeter.
"We are pleased to be part of training the young boys that is why we gave them a good challenge." said NPC coach Rex Roy.
Other winners of the day: Panda Azizia dumped Udhaliyyah-based dribblers Rezayat Bulldogs, 95-81, JAL International whipped Saudi Paper Co. 59-53, Al Hoty Group outplayed Jarir Bookstore 70-67, while Carlson Forwarders thrashed Phuket Restaurant in Division II.
Text & Photos By: Kim G. CORTEZ
Nesma five allowed Kudu Restaurant to heat things up a bit before taking control of the match and romp with heartstopping victory.
The Restaurateur led in the first quarter with ace Jun Villarubia sinking consecutive baskets to carve his personal best of 21 points, while teammates Rolly Roma and Joseph Terec chipped in 19 and 18 points respectively.
Nesma squad relied on the hot hands of ace gunner Rey Balmes who staged the team's comeback in the second quarter and wowed the crowd with his impressive shooting.
Balmes banged in 26 points as teammates Anthony Frias and Egyptian sensation Mustafah Saidi added 18 and 25 points respectively.
The exciting match recorded several deadlock and 11 lead changes, before Nesma cagers took control of the boards in the crucial setting and secured its victory.
"I never doubted my players, I owe this game to Balmes who showed brilliant performance in defense and offense" said Nesma team coach Rene Manuel.
In lone Division C,Haji Alireza - Mazda eked out an 82-68 victory over the Phuket Restaurant in their first outing.
Playmaker and three point specialist Richmond Ocado led Mazda's balanced attack in the crucial minutes scoring 8 of his 20 total points in the last four minutes of the exciting match.
Phuket Restaurant started hot in the first half but the boys of Utog Satol and Dannie Diamante answered back in the third canto when slotman Ferdie Batang and Rookie Mel Yap took charge to close the gap, 50-44, going into the fourth. Batang scored 15 points while Yap contributed 11 points.
Mazda five came out strong in the final quarter when Marvin Vibar, Jun Bacay and Jojo Romero joined the scoring foray contributing 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively while Phuket's ace gunners Reynan Guinoo and wingman Erwin Mallari and Wlliam Solano turned cold.
Phuket five gallantly fought back in the last quarter but could not match the high intensity of Mazda.
"Phuket Restaurant are composed of talented players ready to explode anytime they want, that's why I ask my boys to pressure them and give their best in the critical moment of this game. That's the key," said Satol.
When asked about his team's performance, Phuket's prized coach, Dong Bautista said, "We played very poor in this game. I am sure we will be back with a vengeance."
In the Premier League showcasing experience versus youth, National Pipe Company beat the up and coming All Saudi cagers of Al Nahda Club, 89-69, despite Saudi National team member Fahad Ali's 32 points.
NPC's ex-PBA San Miguel Beer Arnold Calo led all scorers with 22 points including 4 triples while former National University Bulldog Romwell Lampituc contributed 18 points and Jordan Sinio 18 points.
With their more experienced opponents taking them lightly, the Al Nahda Club jumped on the gun in the early going as Adil Yuans and Fahad Al Drees wowed the crowd with their inside-out snipings.
As both teams traded baskets in the second period, Ali Rabia and Yassen Mubarak found their shooting touch and joined the youngsters' scoring foray.
Seeing their youthful opponents getting the momentum, ex-pro Jessie Cabanayan and MBA stalwart Anthony Nabong took the scoring cudgels and proved unstoppable from the perimeter.
"We are pleased to be part of training the young boys that is why we gave them a good challenge." said NPC coach Rex Roy.
Other winners of the day: Panda Azizia dumped Udhaliyyah-based dribblers Rezayat Bulldogs, 95-81, JAL International whipped Saudi Paper Co. 59-53, Al Hoty Group outplayed Jarir Bookstore 70-67, while Carlson Forwarders thrashed Phuket Restaurant in Division II.
Text & Photos By: Kim G. CORTEZ