KSA - Saudi Techint advance to final...

DAMMAM (Hempel Paints Cup) - Saudi Techint bested Al Jazeera Ford 97-88, to arrange an expected title showdown in Division C of the on-going United Filipino Sports Association – Dammam Basketball League Hempel Paints Cup over at the crowded Al Nahda Sports Club in this city.

With the win, Saudi Techint will face either Al Hussini or Al Zharani after their deciding knock out match.

Drawing another inspiring game from Slotman Edward Herrera, the boys of Totie Mojica survived some scary moments before taking control of the tempo and win over the stubborn Al Jazeera Ford.

With Saudi Techint victory they were automatically advanced to the finals, while Al Jazeera Ford and Barangay STC can no longer catch the front-runners even if they win. They will vie for the runner up position.

The finals, slated right after Al Hussini and Al Zharani match, will be a best-of-3 affair.

"We moved the ball so well, especially in the fourth period and that was the key to our victory. We made a lot of assists today," beamed Coach Totie Mojica. "My players' unselfishness spelled the difference."

Herrera stood out among a bevy of big performers for the victors as he made the biggest baskets down the stretch, including in the last 5.5 seconds where Charles Roriguez found the Rookie of the tournament candidate wide open after a missed jumper by Wine Polido.

The Jazeera Ford squad, who slipped further at 5-3, had one last chance to turn the game around but Cezar Mauricio desperation heave from the three-point zone failed to hit the mark.
Mauricio, hit back to back triple just to cut the lead in the dying seconds of the match. He hit 7 triples including second half buzzer beater.

A bullet-like pass by Rocky Lucas to Jojo Tidiong underneath saw the Al Jazeera five equalized the match as they successfully tied the game 53-53 with still 5:25 left in the third canto. With enough time left, Mojica sued for timeout and set up a play for Rodriguez and Herrera who explode with back to back baskets.

Herrera, however, missed a 15-footer but Rolan Luriz was there to keep the ball and alive and Ryan Deheza grabbed the loose ball, and in a flash, made a perfect assist to Rodriguez.

Herrera topscored for the Saudi Techint with 35 points while Rodriguez chipped in 23 points. Polido and Luriz contributed 13 points apiece.

Deheza did score only seven points but had eight rebounds and three assists.

Mauricio paced the Jazeera Ford with 28 points on an impressive 7-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc. He was especially hot in the fourth quarter where he banged in 16 of the team's 28 points that saw them taking a slim 79-84 but did not get an ample support from his team.

The tournament is being sponsored by Hempel Paints, Abdul Latif Jameel Company Ltd. – Toyota, Sky Freight Forwarders, and Sky Line International Cargo and supported by Tropical Food Center, Saudi Graphco, Samir Photographic Supply, Mc Donald’s Restaurant, Power Horse, BAI Aluminum, and Markas Asma Beauty Saloon.

In another separate match Mubarak Al Khaldi, the Saudi sensation and slum dunk champion, starred for the Zahid Tractor’s' big win as he tallied 26 points, including 9 in a mighty fourth quarter assault to downed Sky High via 62-51 win.

Sky High youngster Nawaf Al Turki and vastly improving Yaseen Kadoura helped Sky High squad as they combined for 32 points aside from gritty defensive effort but only to lose with Zahid Tractor’s full court defense and shower shots from Reynan Guinoo, Bong Alcantara and Norly Briones.

Other game results SNS Blazers dumped Insuns 88-72, Astra Kings defeated Protect 71-51, Al Hussini outscored Barangay STC 88-69, while PI Consult remains unscathed after trouncing ACEC Consultants 77-69.

By Kim G. CORTEZ
FIBA official correspondent in Saudi Arabia