Team One Family lift 2014 PIBAQ Men’s League title
By Ailyn Agonia 
Pics by: Ronnie Castro

Finals Game-3 Best-Of-3-Championship Series
President Alvita Cup 2014
15th Season Men's Basketball League 
Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ)

DOHA: QAT-Art Design, One Family team coached by Noli Raagas, pulled up a come-from-behind win against  Mabuhay Restaurant headed by Coach Renato Dinglasan during the nail-biting Game 3 of the Championship Series for Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ) President Alvita Cup recently.

The game ended in 74-72 in favour of One Family.

Philippines’ legendary basketball superstar Alvin Patrimonio handed over the trophy to One Family was trailing behind their opponent from the onset of the game but found enough motivation to snatch the game from Mabuhay during the dying seconds of their final face-off.

With 3.8 seconds left in the clock in the fourth quarter, the game was deadlock 72, But the boys of Coach Raagas just would not let the game slip off their hands this time that they doubled their work on the hard court to manage a mere two-point lead and defend their title.

According to Patrimonio, it was One Family’s hard work and patience on the court that ultimately led to their victory.

Patrimonio, who holds several records in the history of Philippine Basketball, including most consecutive games played (596), was in Doha to show support to Pibaq’s initiative to keep the spirit of basketball alive among Filipinos in Qatar.

“It was a heartbreaking loss for Mabuhay because, until the last seconds of the game, it was still anybody’s ball game,” Patrimonio said. Theretired basketball superstar, currently the team head manager of his former team San Mig Super Coffee Mixers, also lauded the management of Pibaq and the professionalism of the referees which deemed crucial to any league.

“I thank Pibaq for inviting me and Coach Oliver Bunyi here. We had fun watching the match and we enjoyed the warm reception we received from the Filipino community,” he said.

The tournament as sponsored by President Alvita, Diana Jewellery & Watches, Boracay Filipino Restaurant and August Sports Tailor.

 

Source: Qatar Tribune Daily English Newspaper