KSA - Phuket shuts down defending champ SFCCL

DAMMAM (EPBL) - Phuket Restaurant completed their improbable title run by ending a string of misfortunes early in the tournament then went on to record a 93-78 sweep of the Saudi Formaldehyde Chemical Company (SFCCL) to win Game 2 of the 19th EPBL - First Open Conference League B best-of-three championship series before a wildly cheering gallery at the Al Ettifaq Sports Club.

Showing the discipline and energy that enabled them to acquire a formidable status in EPBL, the Restaurateurs started strong, wavered a bit in the second quarter before lowering the boom in the final quarter with an array of eye-popping moves displayed by the trio of MVP Boyet Katigbak, Reynan Guinoo and Noel Malibiran.

Overshadowed by Jay Isidro in Game 1, Katigbak bounced back mightily scoring 17 and grabbing 12 rebounds in a performance that earned him the Finals Most Valuable Player award. He also had four assists and a steal in 32 minutes of action that helped his team turned a close contest into a rout.

Phuket last won a conference title in 2005.

"Katigbak did a great job today but overall it was a total team effort. Even Leo Estayo, Alex Bautista and Dereck Dela Cruz played impressively. I'm so blessed," said Phuket coach Willy Solano of his first title in three finals trips.

But more than that, Phuket avenged their defeat to SFCCL in the previous conference. The boys of Kwanchai "Steve" Keekhongdern also made it to the finals in the previous two conferences but failed, thus making this title conquest sweeter.

"Finally, we won again" exclaimed team manager Kwanchai. "I hope this will be the start of something good for the team."

Eric Feliciano, a 6'1" youngster who once donned the uniform of Manila University played like a true varsitarian as he poured in 15 of his 18 points in the final quarter when the Restaurateurs started to pull away for good.

Phuket took an early 24-16 lead in the first quarter but they were outscored by the SFCCL five 27-18 in the second period that saw the Jubail-based squad take a 43-42 halftime lead. But that proved to be their last taste of lead as Louie Dela Cruz and Zaher Kurais buried a triple each at the start of the third to ignite Phuket's 17-9 push for the title.

Isidro finished with a game-high 24 points while Lemuel Dequito added 23 points. SFCCL's demise, however, was due to Phuket's defensive stop on Saudi sensation Mubarak Al Khaldi who managed a dismal 13 points.

Dequito and Mubarak joined Guinoo, Malibiran and Katigbak in the Mythical Five while Solano claimed the Best Coach Award.

The tournament was presented by APTC Trading, supported by Hoshan Automation, Coco Cola Bottling Company, H & H Catering Services and Phuket Restaurant.

In another match, Kudu Restaurant displayed its uptempo game into a near perfection to score a 72-51 win over the hapless FMQ Sons Company in a battle for third place in the Inter-Company category.

Inspired by the presence of their huge fans, the fiery Kudu squad came out with guns blazing from the opening tip until buzzer.

"We just relied on our strength which is our running game and half court defense," said three-year mentor Paul Casimiro." I'm happy because we won, we will be using this experience in the next season".

After a 31-26 halftime lead, the boys of Emad Salim and Mustafah Hamadeh started the second half dropping a 12-2 bomb, capped by a three-pointer and a basket from Jun Morales to up their lead to 43-28 with 6:16 to go in third period.

Ace gunner Jun Villarubia scattered 10 of his 15 points in third canto to lead the Kudu five, while swingman Josher Bustamante added 14 points and Mike Palad made 13 points. Defensive specialist Ritchie Mendoza had 8 points.

Alvin Balajadia paced FMQ with 20 points and 11 rebounds and Gilbert Giangan got 12 points and 11 boards, while Jericho Azucena and Juluis Blay netted 10 and 8 points, respectively, but the Pipeline Specialist failed to muster enough contribution from their bench dooming their title hopes.

By KIM G. CORTEZ
FIBA Correspondent in Saudi Arabia