KSA - PSSE rebuff ACEC, Panda keep Al-Majdouie at bay

DAMMAM (EPBL) - The mighty defending champs, Philippine Society of Safety Engineers, rebuffed the Arabian Consulting and Engineering Centre, 96-94, in the premier category of the Eastern Province Basketball League's Commissioners Cup (EPBL) at the jam-packed Al Ettifaq Sports Club here.

Al Misehal Company Limited and Isam Kabbani and Partners Group are the major sponsors of the Commissioner's Cup supported by Hoshan Office Automation and Phuket Restaurant.
PSSE's Snor Manabilang, made 10 of his 22 points in the last quarter and came up with two crucial blocks in the homestretch as he teamed up with Boyet Katigbak and Winnie Datungputi in wreaking havoc inside the paint during a decisive fourth quarter run. Katigbak and Datungput finished with 22 points apiece while Louie Materiano and Dante Alipin contributed 14 and 10 points respectively.

It was a tight match from the onset and the nerve-racking fourth quarter was highlighted by five deadlocks.

ACEC Omar Asmad and Efren Valencia's sporadic shooting coupled with Albert Arenoy and Dave Gana terrific defense were all in vain as the wards of team manager Jun Eledia lost steam in the dying seconds of the game.

Asmad led all scorers with 34 points followed by Efren Valencia with 24 including a triple.

Arenoy chipped in 10 points while Gana, Eldrin Simpas and Mon Hernandez added 9 points apiece.

In another match, reigning Inter-Company titlists Panda Aziziyah maintained their flawless record after beating Al-Majdouie, 91-73
Panda's prized cager, Zaldy Arances, provided a huge spark off the bench by connecting two three-point bombs in first quarter.

He finished with five triples, two of which were four-point plays.

The remarkable shotmaking ability of ace gunner Azuman Manesan and the inside plays of Henry Prago and playing coach Frank Gapasin proved too much for Al-Majdouie.

Arances led all scorers with 29 points while Manesan stamped his mark throughout the match scoring 22 points capped by three triples.

Al-Majdouie's Hilbert Tagara continued his impressive shooting with three triples for a team high 24 points. Andrew Catalo, Rick Bobadilla and Daniel Alngog contributed 10 points apiece while Jonathan Soveza and Allan Joyno combined for 19 points.

Team standing: Premier League: PSSE 3-1, Rizal Pirates 2-2, ACEC 1-3; Inter-Company Rated: ARCC-EEI 5-0, Cosma 3-2, KFMMC 2-3, Al-Suwaidi 0-5; Inter-Company Non-Rated: Panda 6-0, Al-Tuwairqi 5-1, Saudi Paper 4-2, Sintec/Sogec 3-3, Al-Hoty 3-3, Al-Falak 3-4, Jarir Bookstore 1-6, Al-Majdouie 0-6; Open Non-Rated: Mazda 5-0, Saudi Techint 5-1, Arcan Vita 3-3, Tanajib Gen. Cont. 1-4, Ilocos Sniper 1-4, DCH Dragons 1-4.

By Romeo O. Navidad
FIBA Correspondent in Saudi Arabia