Matches in the ongoing Jollibee-FBA Basketball Tournament at the Saudi Hi-Tech compound are now becoming more intense as every team wants to secure a spot in the semifinals. In one of the grueling battle, New Breed-AlShaya got the better of Centrepoint 92-82 after nine deadlocks. The Centrepoint dribblers of coach Erwin Carpena were on top in the first two quarters. But the boys of coach Chris Contreras of New Breed came back strongly in the next two quarters by applying good trapping defense and revived the hot shooting power of Mendoza who scored 21 points with support from Al-Taweel 18, Urieta 16 and Naz 12. Good scorers for the losing team were Bobby 21, Bryan 11 and JP 10. In another much-awaited match between two top unbeaten teams a strong division, the Jollibee team of coach Arnold Atienza lost to Samir Group which was coached by veteran Gary Santos and managed by George Feliciano, 94-80. The game recorded four deadlocks. For the second time, Rusty Magpoc was adjudged best player of the game with his good defense and high score of 23 points. He was followed by Manalili 22 and Liam 12 while Jef Galzote of Jollibee got 24 points and Bantilan 19. Other results: Alsalam International Hospital of coach Eric de Castro and manager Abdullah Baasombol surrendered to Solid North team of coach Art Oliva and manager Corly Obtinalla in a seesaw battle, 97-82. CCMC of coach Jonathan Santos defeated Zahid-Volvo of manager Dodie Becinas 76-69. FikraPrinting Press of Jun Lico suffered another defeat by losing to Saudi Hi-Tech team of Jojo Ruaya, 91-86. Strong team of the Bona Fide Group A, American Garden of coach Gil Cortez and managers Abdulmohsen Al-Ghamdi and Ali Shihadeh left victorious when it beat Saudi Oger team of playing coach Ernesto Zapanta 106-103. Jeddah Kickers of Gilbert Banal recorded another loss against a stronger Fitaihi of coach Gerry Reyes and manager Romy Dilla, 95-82. Rosewood Corniche Hotel of head coach Gilbert Borquin and Jun Casolita won over Radisson Blu team of coach Danny Atubang and Joseph Austria in a lopsided game, 104-76, and finally, Sarco-Jeddah team of Johnson de Guzman beat Al-Gbaa team of coach Marlon Patricio and manager Mohsen Al-Gbaa 110-107. This basketball tournament is exclusively sponsored by Jollibee under Nesma Holding Company Ltd. through the cooperation of Mazen Zaki Munshi (marketing manager), Faisal Y. Bamhrez (division manager) and Billy Junn Tabares (marketing officer). It is organized by the Filipino Basketball Association (FBA). Games are being played every Thursday and Friday from 5:00 P.M. to 11:30 P.M.). __
