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Dubai Port Authority clinch inter-company division cup |
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4/12/2006 9:31:22 AM |
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DUBAI — George Nuarin, who sizzled with a game-high 31 points, led four players in double figures as Dubai Port Authority beat Dubai Drydocks (94-78) to grab the inter-company division championship title in the Giordano Cup organised by the PBA-Dubai at the Al Wasl Club last Friday.
Joel Ramirez added 20, Bogs Dela Pena and Gary Hernandez contributed 13 and 11 points respectively as DPA’s balanced firepower led in all quarters 28-17, 48-39, 74-61, 94-78.
Determined to wrap it up after winning their first of the three-game championship series, DPA started like a house on fire as Nuarin’s hot hands exploded with 12 points to lead as much as 28-12 in the first quarter.
Dubai Drydocks, who failed to muster the offensive fast breaks of DPA in three quarters, mounted a scorching rally into the last period with Kid Alvarez, Dungog, and Tumulak finding their range to cut the deficit 78-76 with three minutes remaining in the ball game.
But the Drydocks’ excruciating efforts went all in vain when DPA regrouped and countered with a 16-2 blast en route to their first title in the PBA.
In the class B division, Al Hedaya, led by Jason Araneta with 30 points, won the first of their similar best-of-three championship title by a squeaker 81-80 over PIB.
The winning margin was the second of two splits from the charity line by Gonzales- the first for the tying shot at 80-80 all, and the last for the go-ahead basket with 1minute left in the game.
Both teams employed calculated set plays of defense and offense. Neither of them could dash for a breakaway in the first two quarters. PIB took the first by 24-22, but Al Hedaya reversed the tide with 46-41 at lemon time.
The intensity continued at the resumption of the second half with both teams locked horns and never gave an inch as an advantage. They were tied at 59-59 all going to the last quarter.
Araneta hit two of his 7 triples and a short jumper to put Leo Ang’s charges into the driver’s seat 74-66 barely three minutes into the last quarter. But Gutierrez, Morante, and Fortaleza burned the hoop to force a 76-76 deadlock.
Fortaleza’s driving lay up put PIB on top 80-79 with 1:12 remaining. But PIB’s rejoicing fans were doused when Gutierrez committed his fifth and last foul on Gonzales.
Gonzales, who was visibly uncomfortable at the pressurised shot from the fifteen-foot-line, converted his first try for 80-80-all but muffed his second.
PIB’s chances suffered another setback when after failing to convert in their offensive play, Fortaleza, who scored 15, was flagged his fifth foul on the same player Gonzales.
Again, Gonzales made one of his two charity shots to finally regain the lead 81-80 for good.
Metropolitan Hotel edged past Hyatt-Dubai 95-93 in the inter-hotel division vying for third place.
UAE Exchange and Digital Clues will clash on a rubber match for the senior division title on Friday.
Both have one win apiece. Dubai Marine will face Ibis Novotel for their game number two in a best-of three-game series in the inter-hotel division championship.
Expert Movers will play against Midwest Medical Clinic for third place in the Class B division.
In a related development, the PBA organised a family entertainment and short league that involves four teams composed by players who are 40 years old and above.
The teams, who will complete their first round on Friday, are PBA-Al Rostamani Exch., Danny Boy Old Stars, Haseeb Rasoul Engineering, and UIPS Padres.
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