Dammam, Saudi Arabia – Defending champion Metals Services Pipeliners threw newcomer Saudi Master Baker’s offense into disarray with a back-breaking defense and fast break plays enroute to a 96-72 victory to begin their quest of duplicating their crown in the 22nd season of the Eastern Province Basketball League (EPBL) in front of the screaming fans at Ettifaq Club Gymnasium here on Friday.
Al Falak System Solution and Consulting together with Al Enaizi Enterprises are the major sponsors of the Advisor’s Cup supported by Abdulla Fouad, Hoshan Office Automation, Phuket Restaurant and Cecile’s Catering with the cooperation of Mc Donalds and The Filipino Channel (TFC).
MVP Rodante Luete came away with a double-double performance of 29 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Pipeliners to the easy win.
But it was the Pipeliners smothering defense on the Bakers shooters from the start, capped with a 28-6 scoring on transition play that did in the Bakers. The boys of Coach Gil Asis and Reonel Castillo held the Bakers to just six points in the second quarter to seize control then hung tough in the clutch to carve their first win in as many outings.
Jun Lata and Renato Salonga had a solid performance to help Luete in scoring with 25 and 22 points, respectively. Alex Reyes had 18, Anthony Enriquez and Alquin Dizon had 15 points apiece and Jaq Soliven added 13 points in the Bakers loss.
Meanwhile, Gulf Consolidated Company Power Chargers beat PI Consult in the earlier game via a 68-55 decision.
Ruben Pamplona had a game high 22 points, Migz Conlu had 12, and Jimmy Gorospe had nine points to lead the Power Chargers to their opening win.
PI Consult trailed until the third quarter when Alvin Macaumbang hit on a pair of 3-pointers and Michael Angelo drained another one to start the second half with only a 40-45 deficit from a 14-point setback at the half.
But the Power Chargers mounted a 6-0 run on a fast break play by Pamplona and Noli Clavecillas to put GCC ahead 51-40. PI Consult never again came close as GCC knocked out the win.
In the other matches, grand slam seeking Dammam Warriors notched their first win in an easy 78-48 demolition against Gulf Real Estate, Saudi Ready Mix came through via a 84-69 win against Al Majdouie Group, the Daggers team beat Leytenos 79-65, while Al Bilad Fire Fighting thrashed newcomer FEMCO team 63-44.