Carlos D. Ollero
RIYADH — Barkadahan Disers showed which was the better team in the end of a roller coaster game to avoid a Game Three in the best-of-three title series of the 3rd Kudu Challenge Cup for the Inter-Company Non-Rated Basketball Championship here recently.
Lito Villanueva’s Disers’ squad of Resty Montemayor, Arnel Cunanan, Hutch Valesa, Ramil Ignacio, Jerol Claveria, Joel Tarin and Joms Palejo hammered out a decisive 87-85 victory to capture the title before a jam-packed crowd at the rubberized court of Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers here.
Kudu could only tie the score with 11 deadlocks as the first quarter was 18-all, second quarter 40-all and the third quarter 64-61. The fourth quarter was a very tense situation where the scores read at 85-all in the dying 28 seconds where the Kudu squad of Brian Coronado with Fundador Aguinaldo for the rebound, Bernard Fabila at the center, Joren Balicao, Mark Fabelo and Ralph Piodos tried to kill the time to force for an overtime. But then Resty Montemayor of Disers picked up a foul and converted the charity shots to clinch the game 87-85.
The awarding ceremony followed immediately. The special awards went to: Nomer Dolindo of Almarai — highest single scorer and highest in 3-points; Archie Zabala of Western Union Enjaz — highest in steal; Brian Coronado of Kudu — highest in block shot; Resty Montemayor of Disers — highest in assist and Bernard Fabila of Kudu — highest in rebound. Zahran was the Sportsmanship Team, while for the second time Joel Tarin was awarded the Most Disciplined Player.
Named to the Mythical Five selection were: Best Guards — Nomer Dolindo (Almarai) and Resty Montemayor (B. Disers); Best Forwards — Angel Fabro (WU Enjaz) and Arnel Cunanan (B. Disers); Best Center — Bernard Fabila (Kudu); Nomer Dolindo (Almarai) — Rookie of the League; Arnel Cunanan of Barkadahan Disers — Most Valuable Player. The Best Manager was Ronnie Ferrer and the Best Coach was Lito Villanueva.
The individual awardees received a plaque in addition to home appliances from Nikai Group of Companies with special discounts, courtesy of Ahmed El-Farram, Showroom Manager. The MVP Arnel Cunanan received a 32” flat screen LED TV, while Rookie Nomer Dolindo claimed a microwave with meal voucher for 2 from Sizzler House, courtesy of Randy Assistin.
The organizing committee, led by Chairman Titacaloy, included Jess Lumanog, (chairman of the technical committee), Rene delos Reyes (TC member), Allan delos Reyes and commentator Jobert Ibanita (table officials), Joney Calibo (electronic scoreboard operator) Eli Fallorin and Edgar Simbol (game clock operator) Tom Salvador, Jhun Concepcion, Richard Go, Jonel de Roxas, Laurence Fellizar (scorers).
The tournament for the benefit of the children of UNICEF got support from Paul C. Dunphy, Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers GM.
The committee extended sincere thanks and appreciation to Ruel Pugay, who presented the award on behalf of Mostafa Hamedeh of Kudu, Alejandro F. Santos and Roland Cinco of China Bank, Randy Assistin of Sizzler House for meal vouchers, Mike Alarcon and Anthony Esguerra of Almarai for the gift for the first 3-points, Dino Amiel Balaga of Nesma Partner and the officiating arm of the leagues for the last 26 years now, FCBR referees, Mohammed Ed Tamayo and Ernie dela Cruz.
Scores:
Barkadahan Disers 87 — R. Montemayor 20, A. Cunanan 15, H. Valesa 14, R. Ignacio 12, J. Claveria 8, J. Tarin 6, L. Manalo 6 and J. Palejo 6.
Kudu 85 — B. Coronado 19, B. Fabila 19, F. Aguinaldo 16, J. Balicao 10, R. Piodos 6, M. Fabello 6, G. Mortiz 5, D. Cac 2 and J. Villarubia 2.
Refs: Upan Renosan, Joel Villania and Pumar Quillo.
