RIYADH, Oct. 10 – For Olaya Palace boys, it was their impressive
performance as they recorded an upset victory over the powerful TFC (ABS-CBN) with a
comfortable score of 121-76 in the Inter Company Division matches at the 3 in 1 Fila
Millennium Basketball Challenge festival 2000, being hosted by Sheraton Riyadh hotel and
towers.
The victorious squad fully supported by team manager M. A. Ateeq from the side line came
to the court with a vengeance. When the whistle blew, both the teams began action in a
tense style. The Olaya line up showed better defense and offense in the first half despite
the tough resistance put up by the opponents.
Their J. Payumo, high leaping Kram, versatile Roger Navarro, powerful rebounder Edwin Dela
Cruz, Sigfred Pacson, Bojdics Dimaapi, Ted Bugay and Gilbert Enteria did well while in
action. This made the difference in the end. TFC with Joel Magpantay, Pasumbal brothers,
Erwil Masangkay, Ronniel Navarro, Vir Dela Cruz, Dante Belen and Noel Dizon tried their
best to fight back but this was not enough to match the aggressiveness of the victors.
In the second clash, Dallah Hospital withstood the challenge of LM Ericsson in a close
finish, winning at the final buzzer by 86-82. The Ericsson side anchored by Peter
Gonzales, who made a high game score of 20 and with Gilbert Catubig, Arnel Dela Cruz,
Alfred Alejano, Joe Nieto to his support, were not able to contain fast moving Dallah line
up. For the winning team, B. Tianes was the hero of the day with 23 points.
The last battle of the day in the elimination round, between El Seif Engineering and Saudi
Media System was thrilling and ended in a nail biting finish. The former went to win this
hard fought encounter by a narrow margin of 71-70.
Of the action, Rommel Esguerra shot the first basket for El Seif. This led to flurry of
shots by both the teams. Melvin Castillo exhibited his powerful play along with Ramon
Estrada quick passes. With this fast maneuvers, the rivals looked little bit shaky in the
first half and committed passing errors. This gave El Seif the lead with the sound of the
buzzer 43-37.
Saudi Media lads began brightly in the second half. Encinas got three baskets one after
the other and the score was equalized. The ding-dong tussle continued till 68-all with
eighteen seconds remaining. During these tense moments, Encinas made his last shots and
Castillo fished out a foul for split charity as the score once stood at 71-70.
With three ticks to go and the ball in the hands of J. Talaban of Saudi Media who relished
the ball for the buzzer beating time which was basketed but not counted as he had
committed a traveling error. El Seif posted their first win the hard way to the delight of
the large weekend crowd.
Friday will see the start of the Inter Hotels division semifinal rounds. Here, prolific
players with big names like Rey Macapagal, Jojo Bulan, Tres Mondala, Ed Manansala, Rex
Capati, Neo Egamino, Ayan Dibaratum, Francis Aquino, Cris Cielo, Mark Swing and Alan
Barcelon will see section while playing for their respective sides.
The 3-in-1 Fila Millennium Basketball Challenge 2000 is being sponsored by Sodas Sports
– the sole distributor of Fila sportswear in the Kingdom courtesy of Mumen Al Garawi
with support coming from Pepsi Cola, Philippine Airlines and Power Horse Energy Drink. It
is organized by Riyadh Inter-hotels Sports Committee.
It is fully backed by Thomas Boesch, executive assistant manager with patronage of Michael
Wegner, general manager of the hotel. The management believes that by providing and
supporting the staff sports activities, Sheraton also helps and develops awareness of
friendship and camaraderie as well as entertainment among the expatriate workers not only
in the hotel industry but also to other companies in the surrounding communities. |
