RIYADH – The eighth week of basketball action held at the Juffali compound here saw thrilling matches. The Saudi Ericsson team, managed by Alex Peralta and guided by coaches Alexander Palacio and Lito “Karling” Reyes, clinched another victory against DHL, 96-75, in the Inter-Company Division, its third win in three outings. Peralta's team needs three more win in order to stay in contention. As for DHL, it was its third loss in three outings and remains in the cellar with Al-Hukaime team. Peralta's team ended the first quarter with a 7-point advantage, 28-21. In spite of foul trouble, the team managed to secure an 11-point advantage in the second canto, 46-35, with Deinla doing the offense, pouring 8 points from the shaded area. In the third quarter, Guevarra of the losing side was sizzling hot producing 12 big points including two three-pointers that rattled the telecom operators. But it was answered by Billiones, Deinla and Lisondra swelling the lead to 73-53 towards the end of the third quarter. In the last period showdown, coach Joseph Pagua's DHL team was successful in stopping Deinla who only made 3 points, but the telecom masters were in control. Anor and Guiducos poured in 7 and 6 points respectively to keep the gap at 21 points until the final buzzer sounded. Deinla led the telecom masters' with 29 points plus 2 rebounds while Billiones added 24 with 1 steal followed by Lisondra, 14 and a rebound. For DHL, top gun Guevarra recorded a game-high 34 points with 5 rebounds. Rafanan scored 13 and Sanchez 9. The telecom operators stay on second spot after securing a 3-0 win-loss card at the end of eighth week action in the Inter-Company Division, trailing on Hokair, 4-0, who is the leader in that category. In the Inter-Department category, the telecom masters are also on top spot with 2-0 win-loss record. A team qualifies for the semifinal round if it secures 6 wins in the Inter-Company while 4 in the Inter-Automotive and 2 in the Inter-Department. Teams that suffer 4 losses in all categories are automatically eliminated. The event is mainly sponsored by Western Union, Mercedes Benz Cars and JIPCO. The secondary sponsors are the Filipino Dentists Group of Saudi Arabia, Laguna Lakers Cargo Forwarders, WRJ Freight Forwarders, Merex Forwarders and Pepsi Cola. The Saudi Arabia Basketball Referees Association (SABRA) is handling the tournament umpiring. The scores: Saudi Ericsson 96 – Deinla 29, Billiones 24, Lisondra 14, Petilla 12, Anor 9, Guiducos 6, and Guico 2. DHL 75 – Guevarra 34, Rafanan 13, Sanchez 9, Cruz 5, Berdin 4, Villanueva 4, Tan 2, and Garcia 2.
