“Shan Kamarudheen, Business Development Manager of Travelex Qatar, the main sponsor of the tournament, tossed the ball together with the PIBAQ Official, Philippine Embassy representative and Co-Sponsor to mark the opening of the league”.

By Chris Panganiban

Pictures by Ronnie Castro

 

DOHA:A grand parade of colours showcasing the entirely competitive brands of teams in two divisions with the appearance of sponsoring VIPs marked the opening of Travelex Qatar Cup 2013 of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ) at Al Gharafa Training Gym over the weekend.

PIBAQ Chairman Pat Carido said the matches among teams for this season will go up in the next level as star players have been evenly distributed to make each teams especially in the professional Division 2 category equally strong.

“I am looking forward to a much tougher competition and it could be anybody’s ballgame,” Carido said.

Highlighting the opening ceremony was the appearance of Shan Kamarudheen, Business Development Manager of Travelex Qatar, the main sponsor of the tournament. It was Travelex Qatar which also became presenter of 4^th GCC All-Filipino Club Championship held in Doha last April.

Representatives of the Philippine Embassy in Qatar and co-sponsor Boracay Filipino Restaurant also graced the event.

Competing for this season at the Division 2 are Power Horse Energy Drink, TCC Stars-Gerry’s Grill, LBC Kentz, CEG International-Ertibat, Dukhan Ballers, Gilas Nahkowh and Mindoro Spartan while at the Non PIBAQ category are MCM, Pampanga, Smeet Precast, KALEV, TFCMi and Arab Engineering Bureau.

A parade of the different teams donning their colourful uniforms with their beauteous muses in the front row carrying their banners kicked off the event which was attended by a sizeable basketball fans.

Action ensued after the program with Dukhan Ballers trouncing LBC Kentz, 71-61, when the winning team pulled away in the dying minutes led by 12^th Season MVP Rodel Mallari top scoring with 31 points.

Power Horse energy Drink routed Gilas Nahkowh, 74-59, in a tight match which saw both teams tied at low scoring 25-all in the first half. Power Horse started to rally in the last five minutes to pull away with 15-point edge in the final buzzer.

TCC Stars-Gerry’s Grill was also triumphant against Mindoro Spartan, 70-59, and just like the earlier winner, it broke away in the last five minutes to widen the edge at 11 points.

In other game results of Non PIBAQ category; MCM easy trumped Smeet PreCast, 74-56, Pampanga lorded it over with a 50 points lead over Kalev, 92-42 and TFCMi slam in 3 points edge over Arab Engineering Bureau, 67-64.

Game 10 Team Scores:

Power Horse (74):Lee Sarmiento-14, Roel Odal-14, Elbert Del Rio-11, Noli Suzi-11, Francis De Leon-9, Jerson Sales-8, Michael Buendia-7  Gilas Nahkowh (59):Eric Tamayo-17, Bonlex Magcawas-14, Kurt Fiel-9, Arman Catibog-6, Crisler Icaro-4, Jojo Longalong-3, Phili Villarosa-3, Wilson Navarro-2, Ryan Libuit-1

Game 11 Teams Scores:

Dukhan Ballers (71):Rodel Mallari-31, Richard Raagas-12, CJ Casas-7, Bogs Laher-6, Bong Caballero-6, Anthony Isisp-5, Erminio Bigkas-4  LBC Kentz (61):Arnold Calo-18, Robert Valconcha-14, Charlie Herradura-11, Jhun Bolo-5, Raphael Vallado-4, Christian Candido-4, Kim Ali-3, Jason Macatuggal-2

Game 12 Teams Scores:

TCC Stars-Gerry’s Grill (70):Michael Olino-20, Francis Mercado-16, Ronnie Cajayon-12, Dennis Cabigkis-8, Mark Lagumbayan-7, Holden Caballero-4, Don Duldulao-3  Mindoro Spartan (59):Michael Paderes-20, Ferdinan Rodriguez-16, Bryan Tolentino-7, Pocholo Santos-5, Jay Arce-4, Jacob San Juan-4, Geofrey Hermoso-3