Jeddah - Arabstoday
GGSI easily beat overmatched EWAA Int’l 85-42 in the Basketballers 2012 SBA Invitational Basketball Tournament at the newly refurbished basketball court of Safari New Camp – King Abdulaziz International Airport outside of Jeddah. The GGSI duo of Roel Cabilen (19 points) and Toto Roxas was at the forefront. EWAA tried hard to contend but Mapangarap Guardians headed by Bart Alejandro sustained their momentum en route to the lopsided victory. Jokers dominated the game to lead by 13 points and brought down fighting Al-Shatei Sharks 61-48 in the second game. Despite a dominant display by the Jokers the Sharks displayed resiliency under pressure to hold their own against their rivals but the 13-point deficit proved too much to overcome as they lost steam in the closing minutes. It was a frustrating defeat for Sharks who rallied from 4 points down in the third quarter and kept the score close only to falter in the last 2 minutes of play. The Jokers did not give the Sharks much elbow room to lead from the beginning with the barreling rebounds of Balinan, sweet-shooting ability of Jay Sipat and nice assists from Badua and Bandiola. JLSF was another team to enjoy a big win, crushing SAJCO (Shibh Al Jazira Contracting Company) 85-65. Roderick Lola poured in 34 points at the vanguard of JSLF which also got a lot of help from high jumping Belleza and playing coach Jun Tizon. JLSF coach Ronald Bulaquia is the head coah of JLSF with Rembert Banzuela as manager. For SAJCO, newcomer Alberio contributed 29 points, Avequetero added 16 and Ladia 8. The three months long tournament is organized by Safari Basketball Association-King Abdulaziz International Airport (SBA-KAIA) under the leadership of its founder-chairman-commissioner Master Nestor Cuizon Suliva and able support of adviser Rey “Amarz” Amarille. JOG (Jeddah Officiating Group) headed by its chairman Noel Miguel, FBA Commissioner Jonathan Canda, John Lee, Romyr Cabalu, Banny Lina, Nori Santiago, Anton Mallari, Jonathan Cabiling and Rey Roldan handles the tournament officiating. For the benefit of the teams Suliva had requested the Safari New Camp Manager Gamal M. Bushara, Asst. Manager Bobby Victoriano and Supervisor Ben Ramiscal to proceed with vast improvements of both basketball and volleyball courts. Arab news