Team QAFAC and Dukhan Ballers vie for the ball in a game in Doha recently

Qatar Tribune Daily English Newspaper
By AILYN AGONIA
Pictures by Ronnie Castro

DOHA: TEAM Qafac suffered a stunning loss in their recent game for the 15th Season of Pinoy Basketball in Qatar (PIBAQ) when it failed to stop Dukhan Ballers from ending the final quarter in deadlock, falling in overtime 73-67.

QAFAC was enjoying a 3-0 team standing until the Ballers handed them their first loss in the ongoing President Alvita Cup 2014, even upsetting them in the second quarter with a 16-point advantage. 

It was the combined efforts of Jeffrey Roman, contributing 20 points, and Romeo Bigcas, with 18 points, which made it possible for the Ballers to redeem themselves with a big win in the tournament. The Ballers suffered back-to-back losses to Batang Sanna and One Family prior to facing Qafac. 

Another Ballers star player CJ Casas, playing for the last time for Pibaq as he is due to fly to Manila to pursue his basketball career, finished with 15 points. During the 5-minute extension of the game, a series of missed shots and turnovers of Qafac hurt the team's chance of bagging their fourth win. 

Limioco's two-point shot before the game entered the last two minutes was the last basket made by Qafac while the Ballers continued to pile up points to end the game in their favour, 73-67. Ballers' stellar performance included winning 23 points off turnovers.

Meanwhile, the young team of L'Arc en Ciel (Steelers) pulled off a come from behind win against the veterans of QDVC LRT, 85-81. QDVC was in the lead until the third quarter. However, in the last period of the game, the Steelers stepped up their momentum. With three minutes left in the clock, the teams were deadlocked at 73. Yet the Steelers managed to take on an early lead and held on to their advantage until the dying seconds of the game. 

Bay and Fajuilagot were the heroes of the final quarter of the match. A three-point shot by Musab Ambag was also crucial to the sweet victory of the young Steelers. 

In other games for the Second Division, Palmeras TFCMI won against Batang Sanna with 10-point advantage (76-68) while Mabuhay Restaurant beat Bluu Gulf, 86-73. Mabuhay Restaurant remains undefeated with 4 consecutive wins. Power Horse Energy Drink dominated the game against MCM with 51-point lead (113-62).

In 40-Above Division, Firelink\\CEG International won against Khalifa Vintage, 64-40; ETC Solutions defeated Sofrtysvoys, 56-47; and QP Dukhan beat Kwarentadoz Warriors with a 9-point lead, 60-51.