Deinla, Billiones shine as Saudi Ericsson derails DHL in Juffali basketball tourney

RIYADH: The eighth week of basketball action at Juffali Compound on Khurais Road near here again saw thrilling performances during the weekend.
Saudi Ericsson team managed by sports enthusiast Alex Peralta and coached by Alexander Palacio and Lito “Karling” Reyes clinched another victory against DHL 96-75 in the Inter-Company division, its third win in as many outings.
Peralta’s team needs three more wins in order to stay in contention, while four losses will mean they are out of the contest. As for DHL, it was the third loss in three outings in a tie with Al Hukaime at the bottom of the team standings.
Ericsson opened the first quarter with a 7-point advantage, 28-21. Despite foul troubles, the team managed to secure an 11-point advantage in the second canto, 46-35 with Deinla doing the offense, pouring 8 points in the shaded area.
In the third quarter action, Guevarra of the losing side was sizzling hot producing 12 big points including two three-pointers that rattled the Telecom operators. But it was only answered by Billiones, Deinla and Lisondra doubling the figures to give a 73-53 wide margin toward s the end of the third quarter.
In the last period showdown, coach Joseph Pagua’s DHL team was successful in limiting Deinla to only made 3 points, but the Telecom men were unfazed. Anor and Guiducos poured in 7 and 6 points respectively to keep the gap at 21 points until the final buzzer sounded.
Deinla led Ericsson with 29 points and 2 rebounds while Billiones added 24 points and 1 steal followed by Lisondra 14 points with 1 rebound. DHL had top gun Guevarra scoring a game-high 34 points to go with 5 rebounds. Rafanan also scored 13 and Sanchez 9.
The Telecom operators (3-0) trail league leader Hokair (4-0) in the Inter-Company division.
In the Inter-Department category, Ericsson also is on top spot at 2-0. A team qualifies for the semifinal round if it secures 6 wins in the Inter-Company 4 in the Inter-Automotive and 2 in the Inter-Department. Teams that incur 4 losses in all categories are automatically eliminated.
The committee would like to thank main sponsors of the league namely Western Union through Nomer Cuartero, Mercedes Benz Cars (Shane Lottering) and JIPCO (Ali Bistawi). The secondary sponsors are The Filipino Dentists Group of Saudi Arabia headed by Lourdes Madayag, Laguna Lakers Cargo Forwarders of Dante Layosa, WRJ Freight Forwarders of Jong Magallanes, Merex Forwarders of Michael Casinos and Pepsi Cola.
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