MJE, Rabya win OFBL Second Conference openers

New entrant and sponsor’s team Mahmood Jama Ibrahim (MJE) made a good account of itself on its debut, beating powerhouse Compass Ocean Logistics 92-85 at the start last Friday of the OFBL (Overseas Filipino Basketball League) Second Reinforced Conference at Timeout Academy gymnasium on Television Street, Ghulail District on the outskirts of Jeddah.
The opening of this new tournament followed the successful first offering of the OFBL last month and the group’s involvement as the local organizer of the PBA Legends Tour.
OFBL again partnered with supporters Al-Zugbi Sports Tailoring, Art’s Cuisine,Pinoy Photographers Club Jeddah and Timeout Academy for this tournament with MJE as the major sponsor.
MJE boys surprised a Compass team reputed as one of the strongest in the league.
Compass had led for almost all of the first three quarters but late in the third MJE made a run courtesy of its big guys, Jay Razal and Jack Basilio who both made their presence felt in the shaded area, blocking shots, getting offensive and defensive rebounds and combining for 23 points.
With guards Regondola and Catubig brothers joining the fray MJE had the lead midway in the fourth period.
Compass fought back with Padernal scoring three consecutive jumpers and Castillo hitting two baskets underneath plus a bonus shot before the Catubig brothers showed toughness in defense to score two threes and two fast break layups that staked MJE to a three-point lead with 12 seconds to play. Compass still had a chance to even the score but Padernal missed a jumper.
Rabya also drew first blood in the tournament when it brought down Delta Water 79-75 in the first game.
Out to better its runner-up finish in the last conference Rabya led all the way against the Delta Water.
Salud and Emancino dug deep into their arsenal to give Rabya its first win and joined the early winners of the best player of the game award when they combined for 27 points.
Eleuterio and Ronilda helped out on defensive matters especially in the early going of the game.
The first trophy for Best Team in Uniform was shared by MJE and Compass. The same award for the other divisions are to be awarded during the Dec. 7 opening of the Inter-Hospital Division, according to the OFBL headed by chairman Salvador “Boy” Teves and commissioner Rocky Gil.
MJE won the trophy for the Best Team in Uniform in the Inter-Commercial Division. It shared the same award with Compass in the Inter-Company Bonafide Division
Meanwhile, the first best in uniform was awarded to the Inter-Commercial Division was the team MJE. And team compass it’s a tie, for MJE and Compass, for the inter division bonafide OFBL chairman Boy Teves and OFBL.
Commissioner Rocky Gil Announce that they will include the awarding on Dec. 7 for the grand opening of inter hospital division so far there are seven team participant in hospital division.