KUWAIT CITY, March 6: It was a day of close matches, full of excitement and tons of action when the 19th Filipino Basketball League (FBL), 4th Filipino Men’s Volleyball League (FMVL) and 9th Filipino Women’s Volleyball League (FWVL) Goodwill Games Conference continued at the Bayan Bilingual School in Jabriya, Friday.
Four mouthwatering clashes matches in FBL that saw the Maidan team maintain their extraordinary performance when they outlasted the good team of Desert Fox by 66-65 points to remain unbeaten, while Kaibigan Uno overcame Al Essa Shooters 69-64, Triggers edged Holiday Inn 83-82 and Shoonan brushed aside Metal Center 80-76.
In FMVL, Boushahri stayed on top of the elimination round when they outclassed Rebellious Elfin 26-24, 15-25, 25-20 while FWVL Noodles Restaurant showed some real class and outlasted Lear Siegler Service Inc. 25-13, 13-25, 25-21.
This event is being officiated by Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP)-Kuwait Chapter headed by Commissioner Demos Arienda along with Baylon Tenorio, Toots Apostol, Jhune Lagmay, Ferdie Tadena, George Panganiban, Jun Torres and Joel Acuna.

FWVL
Noodles Restaurant vs LSI
The depleted Noodles Restaurant team managed to score their 2nd victory when they outlasted Lear Siegler Service Inc. (LSI) in a seesaw battle 25-13, 13-25, 25-21.
The first set saw Noodles Restaurant all warmed up and ready for action when they delivered spikes and aces through Apol – who contributed the highest number of points – accompanied by some good backup from Miah, Sha and Dang while from the other of the bench it seemed that the players were still warming up as they could generate very few points – mostly through Myra Chico and Lala del Rosario – that resulted in Noodles easily taking the first set 25-13.

Meanwhile,it was not long before Lear Siegler Service Inc. shifted to a higher gear in the 2nd set when they realized that Noodles were not an easy opponent and produced a good game, total different from the display they put up in the first set, as they played some excellent spikes through Sheila Moreno, Jzel Roberto and Joy Albana while from the other side of the courts Apol and Jou scored a number of points as Lear Siegler Service Inc. easily took the second set 25-13 to push for a 3rd deciding set.
The battle for supremacy lingered in the final set but the determined Noodles team were not to be denied and collected a handful of points through Apol, Miah and Dang while LSI seemed to acquire a number of errors – although they managed to get some points through Myra and Joy – but Noodles could not be stopped as they went on to take the last set 25-21 and with it the match.
Initial standings
TEAMS    GP    W    L
Almuzaini Exchange    4    4    0
Gulf Cryo    4    3    1
Noodles Restaurant    6    2    4
Lear Siegler Service Inc    4    0    4
Meanwhile, BAP Commissioner Demos Arienda has announced that registration for the Inter-Company women’s volleyball tournament is now open.

FMVL
Boushahri vs Rebellious Elfin
Boushahri showed that they are one of the best contenders this season when they broke the tie at the top of the standings to be the lone leaders when they stopped their closest contenders for the title Rebellious Elfin 26-24, 15-25, 25-20.
The initial set saw Boushahri score through drop shots and spike from Wilton and Jomz, who delivered amazing services – that could not be properly negotiated by their rivals – along with a number of spikes from JM while from the other side of the bench some witty drop shots from Jamil and Jay-Jay generated points that saw Boushahri lead 8-5 when a technical time out was called.
Meanwhile, it was not long before Rebellious Elfin were easily awakened and forced into action by this lead as they moved their match up a gear by getting another drop shot from Jamil, and blocks from Lou and Chen with a solid spike from Jerick on a set play by #3 Jeric to level the match 8-8.

On the other hand, Boushahri’s overwhelming energy resulted in a number of outside serves backed by another hard spike from Jomz but their rivals refused to back down and got a spike from Lou and a block from Jerick that saw both the teams level 12-12. Rebellious Elfin moved ahead 14-12 at one point when Jerick hit another drop shot along with an error from their opponents but it was not very long before Jomz drove in a drop shot and a spike backed by another block from Wilton that saw both the teams tied first on 15-15 and then 16-16.
Both teams put their best foot forward when they realized that neither of them were an easy opponent with Boushahri putting in a higher level of performance through Wilton’s solid spike and ace while Rebellious Elfin answered through Jay-Jay along with another block from Jamil, Jay-Jay and Chen that saw both the teams again tied 19-19, 21-21.
Meanwhile, one of Rebellious Elfin’s finest members Lou fired in another spike while a good serve from Jamil hit the ceiling but their opponents fought back brilliantly to go ahead 23-21 that called for Boushahri to call for a time out.

An error from the service area, an early switch and outside spikes from Rebellious Elfin brought them level on 23-23, 24-24 that pushed for an extension while an error from Boushahri and a good set play from #3 Jeric allowed Jay-Jay to deliver a solid spike that saw Rebellious Elfin take the set 26-24.
In the 2nd set Rebellious Elfin started off in a wrong foot when they acquired a number of errors as the ceiling did not appear to favor them as their replies hit it regularly that handed the advantage to Boushahri who also managed to drive number of spikes from Keith and Jomz that put them ahead 5-0, 8-1, 12-2 at various points of the set.
Meanwhile, Rebellious Elfin were awakened by this gap and moved their game up a gear through Jay-Jay, Lou and Jerick that closed the gap a bit to 11- 17 but Boushahri got outstanding spikes from Jomz, JM, Wilton and Keith that caught their rivals unawares as they took the 2nd set 25-15 and pushed for a deciding set.
The 3rd deciding put intense pressure on both teams while FMVL supporters were on the edge of their seats as both the sides delivered their best performance.
Boushahri got a solid spike from Wilton but from the other side of the bench Lou and Jay-Jay bounced back and it seemed that Rebellious Elfin had lost coordination that benefit their rivals who showed a lot of focus in their play with another witty drop from JM and a lucky return shot from Jerry to lead 11-9 at one point.

However, it was not very long before Jamil from Rebellious Elfin handed a spike but then again made various errors before back to back over the edge spikes from Keith, one of the most improved players from Boushahri, along with one of their premium members Wilton put Boushahri ahead 16-12 when their rivals called for a time out.
Rebellious Elfin were not able to cope up with this big lead and although they managed a few more points from Lou intense pressure saw them lose their harmony on the courts while Boushahri put in a winning performance with back to back spikes from Jomz and Wilton to take the set 25-20 and with that the match.
With this result, FMVL will proceed to semi-finals stage next Friday with Boushahri competing against Defending Champions Angel Eyes while Rebellious Elfin take on the Maki team. Winners from this game will battle for the title while the losers will vie for the 2nd runners-up spot.

Final Standings
TEAMS    GP    WIN    LOSS
Boushahri    9    7    2
Rebellious Elfin    9    6    3
Maki    8    4    4
Angel Eyes    8    3    5

FBL
Maidan vs Desert Fox

Maidan were made to sweat as they fought for every point to edge the depleted Desert Fox team 66-65 to keep their unbeaten record.
In the first quarter Desert Fox were all warmed up to fire in an early long shot through #18 Repollo along with some fines shots from #15 Barrios while from the other side of the bench it appeared that the players were still warming up although they were still able to get most of their points through #27 Toper Gorospe to take an initial quarter lead of 19-13 points.
Coach Roy Goricetta of the Maidan team immediately came up with a game plan based on some solid defense and back to back long shots from #23 Jojo Obordo along with some fine shooting from #14 Rod Garcera and #27 Toper Gorospe that stopped their opponents from moving far ahead with both the teams level 32-32 by the end of the 1st half.
Maidan squad kept their foot on the accelerator and strengthened their defense through #25 Owen Fernandez backed by good shots from #6 Edman Sumande and #27 Toper Gorospe while their rivals was not able to deliver the same intensity although they got a lot of points from #5 Soriano accompanied by a long shot from #18 Repollo as Maidan went ahead by 49-43 points.
Desert Fox put their wits and power together and with some team effort and perfect shooting from the free throw line but Maidan once again showed their shooting prowess through #27 Willy Rasali and with a few seconds left in the game Desert Fox made an error that handed the advantage to their opponents to as #3 Welmar Rabe drove in a shot for Maidan to win by 66-65-66 points.

Kaibigan Uno vs Al Essa Shooters
 The Kaibigan Uno squad did not show the effects of having fewer players on the bench as they tamed Al Essa Shooters 69-64.
The first quarter witnessed low scoring when both teams were still warming up that resulted in the scores being level 8-8 at one point.
Kaibigan Uno opened the 2nd quarter with a long shot from #93 Escorpeso accompanied by excellent baskets from #5 Ocampo while the Al Essa Shooters were also successful and got a handful of points through #13 Cris Caparas along with #10 Neil Toledo and 3-point shot from #12 Marvin Lompera that put them ahead by 8 points 30-22 by the end of the 1st half.
A mouthwatering clash was seen in the 3rd quarter that put the FBL fans on the edge of their seats. A strong defense line was erected by Al Essa Shooters through #8 Marvin Macaraeg that made it easy for #12 Marvin Lompera to fire in more shots but their opponents stepped on the accelerator and made a long leap through #16 Galo and #12 Bustillo that saw them level 45-45 at one point.
The final quarter saw Al Essa Shooters deliver back to back 3-pointers through #8 Marvin Macaraeg while Kaibigan Uno came up with a game plan and put up a strong defense through #16 Galo that resulted in #21 Escorpeso hitting a number of baskets as the limited time shortened the opportunities for their rivals accepted a 5-point defeat 64-69.

Triggers vs Holiday Inn
Triggers were in their best form when they edged Holiday Inn 83-82 in one the earlier matches that day.
The first quarter witnessed Triggers display their shooting prowess from the 3-point territory through #21 Darwin while two of the same were scored by #19 Gadian for a total of 21 points initially, while from the other side of the courts Holiday Inn got their score through #8 Atong and #5 Guerrero but the team managed only 17 points.
Meanwhile, Holiday Inn shifted to higher gear and set up a solid defense through #31 Garcia who also put in a long shot and allowed his teammates #8 Atong and #5 Guerrero to obtain more 3-pointers shot while their opponents replied to this long shots through #19 Gadian and #23 JV but fell short by 3 points as Hoilday Inn led 48-45 at the end of the 1st half.
The 3rd quarter witnessed both teams eager to stamp their authority on the other as they combined their efforts with Kaibigan Uno managing to score perfect baskets from the free throw line through #7 Felipe along with some points from #18 Nimuan and #5 Guerrero while Triggers put their foot on the accelerator and got baskets through #21 Darwin and #8 Lorilla to be only one point behind 64-65 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
Triggers extended their strong defense line through #8 Lorilla but that saw him fouled out along with #3 Joey which gave #13 Dado a chance to pull off the most points while Holiday Inn got three amazing 3 pointers from #9 Nuque but from the other side of the bench #21 Darwin made an assurance basket from the free throw line while time did not favor Holiday Inn who give in to a heartbreaking 1-point 83-82 defeat.

Shoonan vs Metal Center
The depleted Shoonan team combined their efforts well this week to overcome Metal Center 80-76.
The initial set saw both teams on an equal footing with Shoonan getting most of their baskets from #21 Nino Castillo and #7 Marvin Sosoban while from the other side of the bench #3 Jeff Espadero and #31 Villaruz delivered a lot of points that saw them ahead by one point 19-20.
However, it was not very long before Shoonan put up a good defense driven by #22 Edward Villarosa that handed an opportunity to #10 Arvin Urong and #8 Denjie Dague to penetrate the hoops and give their team an advantage for a first half lead of 3 points 33-30.
Meanwhile, a tussle for supremacy were seen in the 3rd quarter that brought about a seesaw battle. Metal Center stepped into a higher gear with a number of interceptions for some steals and good passes that gave #3 Jeff Espadero to access the hoops – including a long shot – while their opponents appeared to put a lot of focus into their game with some shots from #7 Marvin Sosoban and #23 Dante Payuni that saw them lead 59-55.
In the last 10 minutes of the match, a lot of passion for the game was displayed by both the sides but both of them proved that they were not an easy prey. Shoonan displayed a good team effort and shooting prowess from the free throw line as #21 Nino Castillo seized all opportunities that came his way accompanied by astonishing shots from #7 Marvin Sosoban and #8 Dante Payuni although from the other side of the courts #3 Jeff Espadero and #30 Nilooban got back to back long shot they were defeated by 4 points 80-76.

Initial Standings
TEAMS    GP    WIN    LOSS
Movenpick Al Bida’a     9    8    1
Papa John’s    8    7    1
Maidan    6    6    0
Triggers    8    5    3
FIL AM    7    5    2
Desert Fox    10    4    6
Al Essa Shooters    8    4    4
Holiday Inn    7    4    3
Kaibigan Uno    8    3    5
Shoonan     7    3    4
Columbus Coffee    2    2    0
Metal Center     8    1    7
Wizara    7    0    7
Sahara     8    0    8
FBL, FMVL and FWVL organizers would like to thank their sponsors Caroll Ong from Metrobank Super Bilis Padala and Red Bull Energy Drink for supporting their events.