Filsama Basketball League 7th Conference opens

Filsama Basketball League, one of the biggest leagues in the western region, opened its 7th Conference last Friday at the NAI Juffali Compound court.
Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah was chief guest during the opening ceremony. Garibay delivered a speech while Filsama president and league commissioner Teng Laguialam welcomed the participants and on behalf of his group extended his appreciation of NAI Juffali management through Roger Dones for allowing the use of the tournament venue.
Mohamed Bayoumi, a Sudanese with the heart of a Filipino, also spoke and laced his speech with Tagalog words much to the delight of the crowd. Also present were representative of sponsor Orbit Showtime Network and Filsama founding adviser Wilson Maata.
The first trophies for the Best Team in Uniform went to Airnet in Non Rated Division and Danube Himalaya in Inter-Company Bona Fide Division and Best Muse to Shane Fernandez Delfino and Ms. Lidasan.
Drawing first blood in Inter-Company Division was Makati Foods El Khereiji which beat Danube Himalaya 73-69.
It was a well balanced and exciting matchup from start to finish. The trio of Fuentes, Cilot and Destreza manged to cut the lead of Makati Foods to 2 points with under 2 minutes to play.
But aggressive moves by the Disquitado cousins kept their team afloat. With the score at 71-69 Danube had a chance to equalize with Deztresa bringing the ball down court but the tight defense of Makati Foods forced a Danube turnover with 2 seconds left.
But still Makati Foods was able to score on a fastbreak to set the final count 73-69. Richard Disquitado was named Best Player while cousin JR Disquitado scored 14 points as did Dela Cruz. The main men for Danube were Fuentes with 23 points and Cilot with 14 points.
In the second game, the rookie Non Rated Division team of Compass Ocean Logistics led by Alex Bedia went down in against Bang Bang Gensan All Stars. Compass Ocean Logistics had led by as much as 12 points.
In the final quarter, Bang Bang went to a man-to-man trapping defense forcing Compass Ocean Logistics offense to crumble. Bang Bang then converted 14 straight points, grabbing the driver’s seat up to the end.
Top scorers at Bang Bang were Piaco Radiamoda 19 points, Teddy Jamahali 13, and Aliadin 13 points, while at Compass Ocean Logistics Manzano had 15 points and Adriano 13.
In a close game in the nightcap, Friendster P.M.E edged Airnet Maarej 74-72.
First quarter ended with a 15 points all, 2nd & 3rd quarter is led by Airnet Maarej 30-29 and 51-51..
With Friendster in the lead, 75-72, Airnet had a chance to tie or win with 8 seconds to play.
Millar Daham opted to pass to Alturas instead of going for a quick layup. But Alturas fumbled what could have been a perfect assist and Friendster preserved the win.
Friendster’s Dangao was the Best Player with 16 points. Barry Nader added 13 points and Cruz 12. Ismael led Airnet with 18 points and Alturas finished with 17.
With Laguialama in organizing committee are Vice commissioner Bhoy Raras, Technical Director Manny Manalo, Secretary General Ogie Nucum, Treasurer Rene Valle and table officials Jhun Montebon and Ali Tuhami. Willy Cartagena is the game play-by-play announcer