KSA - Nalco down Bisdak in UMA Challenge Cup

DAMMAM (UMA Challenge cup) - Wily guard Ricky Mamaid came through with a huge three-point shot at crunch time as the Water Treatment Chemical Company (Nalco) trashed Bisdak Foundation 91-87, in the Universal Motors Agency Basketball Challenge Cup organized by United Filipino Sports Association - Dammam Basketball League (UFSA-DBL) at the Al Nahda Sports Club in this city.

Out to erase the stigma caused by their shocking loss to Taseco, the Nalco five buckled down to serious business right away, imposing their will inside and outside to lead as much as 10 points behind the red-hot shooting of Joey Kabigting and Roel Garu.

But when Bisdak squad got into their game and threatened to turn the game around, the Nalco turned to their veterans who responded with clutch plays to stave off Bisdak determined fight back. With the win, Nalco leveled Bisdak in team standing with 2-2 win-loss column.

Almost given up for the dead after trailing the, 84-82 in the dying minutes of the last quarter, Bisdak ace gunners Joey Lagramada and high leafing Noel Malibiran clawed their way back into the contest through the gutsy efforts of Joel Cajepe and Rodel Rosas.

As both team traded baskets and tried to outgun each other in a sew-saw battle, a 2-0 run capped by Lagramada's booming shot pushed the Bisdak five to within 85-87. That run also saw their fans explode in utter excitement.

Mamaid, ex-Palarong Pambansa, however, silenced Bisdak supporters by knocking in his last triple of the game after missing his earlier two attempts. Kabigting, another grizzled veteran on the roster of coach Sonny Nazar made it 89-87 after Raffy Duniza bungled his open shot from way behind the 3-point arc barely 33 ticks left.

"We're still struggling in our game but I'm glad we won this one," said coach Nazar. "I just hope we can play better in our next games.

Prized cager Mamaid finished with 20 points including four triples; nine of them in a torrid last quarter performance that helped the victors build its confidence. Kabigting made 19 points while Garu and Saudi cager Amin Ali scored 14 points apiece.

Also helping the cause of Nalco team was the inability of the beefy Rudy Hombria who became useless as he committed fifth foul early in the third quarter and defenseless in the shaded area this time.

Hombria was limited to just 13 points while Lagramada, Malibiran and Cajepe combined for 51 points.

Other game results, Al Mojil continued its winning ways after trashing Safami 117-56, Arabian Knights whipped GRI Brotherhood 73-58, UFSA-DBL trashed SQ Forty 84-78,Gentec defeated Chowking Restaurant 67-59, Insuns Redminizer outplayed Fahad Alireza 70-68, while Crushers crushed Gates Fleximax 69-56.

The tournament is being sponsored by Universal Motors Agency, supported by Sky Freight Forwarders, Hempel Paints, Mc Donalds Restaurant, Chowking Restaurant, BAI Aluminum Façade Specialist, The Filipino Channel (TFC), and GMA Pinoy Plus.

By Kim G. Cortez
FIBA Official correspondent in Saudi Arabia