JEDDAH: Okaz beat Balubaid Motors 71-65 in the Balubaid Motors Basketball Court in Sulaimaniyah District here. In an exciting game Okaz managed to go up 10-0 in the first quarter, but Balubaid managed to get back into the game. The two sides kept changing positions throughout the game. Balubaid strikers missed an important jumper with 6 seconds remaining and Junar Manila grabbed the rebound and went for the kill. Manila top scored with 20 points for Okaz and was adjudged the Player of the Game while Mateo pumped 32 points for Balubaid. This tournament is principally sponsored by Balubaid Motors, ABS-CBN - The Filipino Channel, The Saudi Gazette and Wael Sports. JBL President Mohammad Rasheed Suyat and Tournament Director Noel led the awarding ceremony. The awardees were Okaz: Champion; Balubaid Motors: 1st runner-up; Dulb Dribblers: 2nd runner-up; and Red Hot Guys: 3rd runner-up. The elite mythical five best players were Junar Manila (Okaz), Arnold Bravo (Okaz), Roldan (Balubaid Motors), Sanchez (Dulb Dribblers) and Brosoto (Red Hot Guys), while Raul David (Okaz) was named the best coach. Junar Manila was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Okaz team: Junar Manila, Rico Abiertas, Christopher Dela Cruz, Rollan Cabilugan, Brian Llavore, Emmanuel Bawa, Camilo Laurente, Russell Trinidad, Safly Elnar, Ronaldo Alarte. Coach: Raul David. Manager: Francisco Fuerte. Assistant Manager: William Tambago. In the other division, 7 Up defeated Tropicana 54-45 for the 1st Sipco Inter-color basketball tournament honors at Bin Mahfouz basketball court in Andalus district. It was a ding-dong battle up to the final quarter. 7 Up's running game put Tropicana defense in disarray in the final quarter. Tropicana lost steam in the dying minutes. Allan Zorilla scored 27 points for 7 Up and was adjudged as the Sipco best player of the game while Carlos added 12 points for Tropicana. Aquafina pounded Pepsi 53-40. Aquafina played run and gun offense in the whole game while Pepsi tried outside snipping. Aquafina applied to man to man defense in the final quarter to halt the shooters of Pepsi. The plan paid well as Pepsi committed back to back crucial turnovers. Sampang led Aquafina with 17 points and was adjudged as the Sipco best player of the game while Policarpio topscored with 10 points for Pepsi. Sipco Directors Roberto Mendez and Khaled Sayoti handed over the trophies and gifts to the champion team 7 Up and to the mythical team. The awardees – 7 Up (champion), Tropicana (1st runner-up), Aquafina (2nd runner-up) and Pepsi (3rd runner-up). The Most Valuable Player was Allan Zorilla of 7 Up and the best coach Pedro Ronatay of 7
