Dammam, Saudi Arabia – Jordan Sinio picked up his offensive rhythm in the third quarter and the National Pipe Company team took the cue to mount a second half charge that keyed a 101-86 victory over the Saudi Readymix squad in the opener of the 2010 Eastern Province Basketball League Friendship Cup at the Ettifaq Club Gymnasium here Friday.
The NPC team brings back an emphatic energy to the Premiere League Division with Sinio’s explosion in the third quarter that saw him netting 12 points on a perfect 4-of-4 three point shooting spree.
Coach Ariel Julio of Saudi Readymix and his chargers turned up the heat in the first half with a 48-46 advantage with a free-throw shot of Rookie Center Michael Taguiam and Rolly Bisda’s 12-point production.
But things turned sour for the Cement Mixers in the third quarter as they began missing from the field and eventually drowned in a series of turnovers.
Former RP Youth and PBA’s Purefoods playmaker Jessie Cabanayan had 15 points on 5-of-7 three point shooting; former NU Bulldogs Romwel Lampitoc and Anthony Nabong had a combined score of 29 points and Edgar Bucalin had a game high 18 points.
Bisda led all scorers with 24 points; Taguiam had 19 points, shooting guard Robin Santiago managed 12 points while Turki Al Hindi and Robert Paule had nine and eight points, respectively, for Saudi Readymix.
This season marks 23 years since the start of the EPBL’s with the campaign being sponsored by Al Falak System Solution and Consulting Company, Saudi Readymix Concrete Company “Green Machine”, Gulf Consolidated Contractors Company, Telemoney, Al Enaizi Enterprises, Phuket Restaurant, and Aling Cecile’s Catering.
The inauguration of the Friendship Cup was highlighted with the Gulf Consolidated Contractors Company being judged as the Best Managed Team.
National Pipe Company received the Best in Uniform award, with Al Bilad Fire Fighting Company and Zamil Cool Care being the runners-up.
Sammy Zoilo of Al Bilad Fire Fighting Company delivered his welcome message and Mohammed Qafashat of GCC addressed the crowd for an inspirational talk.
Commissioner Buenaventura “Jun” Sanchez expressed his thanks to all the 30 participating teams and to all the sponsors for supporting EPBL.
Beautiful confetti and balloons showered the gym when Commissioner Sanchez officially announced the opening.
Official team entries to the Friendship Cup were made by Dar Al Riyadh, PI Consult, Saud Consult, Radicon Gulf Consult, Zuhair Fayez, Zamil Cool Care, Intercon Hotel, Nesma Trading, Al Jazeera Ford, AlJeel Althalith Company, Al Bilad, Al Iman, GCC, Femco, Hyper Panda, Jarir Bookstore, Zamil Industrial, Al Falak, Al Tuwairqi, Airbase Hospital, COSMA, Safari Company, Zahid Tractors, Leytenos, Rasha Trading, Remal, Saudi Readymix, Fahad Al Jazeera Engineering Company, Arabian Consulting and Engineering Center and the National Pipe Company.
EPBL games are held every Friday at Ettifaq Club from eight o’clock in the morning until six in the evening.