KUWAIT CITY, Oct 23: A depleted Triskelion squad overcame the handicap of having a few players on the bench to walk home with this season’s 2nd runners-up award but after they sweat a lot to outlast Russel-Slasher — who finished 3rd runners -up — by 102-97 points in the 20th Open Category League Goodwill Games Conference at the Bayan Bilingual School, Friday. With the battle for the 3rd and 4th spots out of the way, the most awaited championship finals between Papa John’s-Pilipinas and Heritage has been scheduled for Friday, Oct 29 at the same arena.

On the other hand, the 3rd Inter-Company matches saw Kuwait Energy Company score their initial victory of the tournament with a surprise win over defending champions Safir International 90-79, while Black and White outlasted Holiday Inn 73-70, Kuwait Steel remained unbeaten when they edged Hilton Kuwait Resort 68-65 and N-Dash thumped Spirit Warriors by 79-70 points.
These quality ballgames are being officiated by Filipino Basketball League (FBL)-Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) Kuwait Chapter, headed by Commissioner Demos Arienda along with his group of committed office-bearers who consistently deliver quality decisions in all the matches. These include James Miranda and Victoria Apostol — Time and Score Keepers, BAP Referees — Ferdie Tadena, Aries Buenaventura, George Panganiban, Toots Apostol, Baylon Tenorio and Joel Acuna —FBL President.

Open Category
Triskelion vs Russel-Slashers
The seven-player team of Triskelion proved that they deserved the 2nd runners-up award after they put in their best effort to overcome Russel-Slashers 102-97 in one the friendliest game ever witnessed by basketball fans.
In the first quarter, Russel-Slashers were in their best form as they opened up with a long shot from #21 Jun Ballesteros along with back to back baskets from #18 Kerby dela Rosa and #15 Allan Mendiola while from the other side of the courts #7 Jayson Manalo answered those long shots twice with unstoppable baskets from #18 Norman Rustia but Triskelion still fell short with the score 26-19 in favor of their opponents.
Russel-Slashers kept the score to their liking when they generated some good points through #15 Allan Mendiola and #18 Kerby dela Rosa while Triskelion bounced back through 3-point shooting from #7 Jayson Manalo and #16 Jomar Luna but they were still 9 points behind 47-56 by the end of the 2nd quarter.

Triskelion moved up a gear in the 3rd quarter although both of the teams appeared to be “relaxed” as they were just both enjoying every minute of the game and with no pressure on either team, especially Russel-Slashers, Triskelion were handed the opportunity to close in.
Triskelion pulled together six amazing 3-point shots, including five from #7 Jayson Manalo with #23 while Russel-Slashers came up with two 3-pointers from #18 Kerby dela Rosa and #3 Benjie Malijan that ended the game 75-73 in the favor of the latter at the end of the 3rd quarter.
In the early stages of the last quarter, Triskelion moved into the lead that resulted in a seesaw battle and although the game was becoming very tight none of the teams were keen on an extensive defense. However, Russel-Slashers tried to slow down the game by committing a foul but that only handed an opportunity to Triskelion to take up position on the free throw line from which they seemed to be perfect and soon they were on their way to a 5-point 102-97 victory.
Wearing Jersey #7 Jayson Manalo was given the Best Player of the Game award after contributing 38 points.

Inter-Company
Kuwait Steel vs Spirit Warriors
Newcomers Kuwait Steel Company proved that they are one of the strong contenders for the title this season when they remained unbeaten in their 3 games so far to stay in the driver’s seat after outlasting former 2nd runners-up Hilton Kuwait Resort by 68-65 points.
In the first quarter, Kuwait Steel were in full battle gear as they once again came in with a complete line-up and scored 22 points with two back to back long shots from #25 Jojo Apolinar and #46 Orlan Gracias while the depleted Hilton squad tried to fight back through #17 Dionisio Wang but it appeared that the latter were still warming up as Kuwait Steel led 22-9 points at the end of the first quarter.
On the other hand, Hilton put up a solid line of defense through #76 Escalde that stopped their rivals from gaining easy access to the hoops although one of Kuwait Steel’s premium members #17 Raymund de Vera managed a long shot. Hilton Kuwait Resort replied through #7 Marwan but they were still behind by 13 points 18-31 at the end of the 2nd quarter.

Never at any point did Kuwait Steel play easy as they consistently worked hand in hand on assisting their main shooters that resulted in some good shots from #16 Igning Bacucanag, backed by #1 Artie dela Cruz while their opponents tried to fight back through back to back shots from #8 Ivan Sufocado and #17 Dionisio Wang. Hilton tried very hard but Kuwait Steel were still leading by 12 points 47-35 at the end of the third quarter.

Hilton Kuwait Resort pressed on the accelerator in the last quarter when they realized that Kuwait Steel was not an easy opponent and opened up through a long shot through #17 Dionisio Wang along with another two 3 pointers from #7 Marwan and #18 Jerive Reyalen. Kuwait Steel managed to answer two of those long shots through #17 Raymund de Vera and although Hilton managed to get close with few seconds left in the game Kuwait Steel saw victory when #1 Artie dela Cruz and #46 Orlan Gracias missed no shot from the free throw line. Hilton fought their hearts out in the end but with Kuwait Steel not giving anything away they had to concede defeat with the score 65-68.

Best Player of the Game was given to #17 Raymund de Vera from Kuwait Steel who delivered 20 points.
Black & White vs Holiday Inn
Earlier that day, Black and White maintained second place in the standings when they fought wisely to edge the good team of Holiday Inn by 73-70 points.
The initial quarter saw that Holiday Inn were all warmed up when they collected good back to back baskets from #7 Zalde Felipe and #3 Arnold Elisantos while their opponents appeared to be warming up and generated most of the scores through #9 Philip Aguiluz that resulted in Holiday Inn leading 18-13 at the end of the quarter.

However, it was not very long before Black and White came up with a game plan and immediately swung the lead in their favor as they filled the hoops with outstanding shots from #14 Jayson Bacani along with a long shot from #9 Philip Aguiluz. Although Holiday had an answer to those 3-pointers through #11 Jose Luis Prats but they were still caught unawares by the excellent game displayed by Black & White, who led 36-29 at the end of the 1st half.
A tussle for supremacy was seen in the 3rd quarter when neither team proved that they were an easy prey that put the audience on the edge of their seats as both the sides were soon involved in a seesaw battle.
Holiday Inn put together a tight defense through #34 Abeed Al Aziz Farihat that provided opportunities to #7 Zalde Felipe and #11 Jose Luis Prats to drive in some good shots. However, Black and White provided the same level of defense through #9 Philip Aguiluz who also put in the most number of baskets, including 3-pointers, that resulted in both the teams being tied 55-55 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

A real treat was then provided to the basketball fans in the form of a mouthwatering clash which kept the supporters screaming for more. Black and White continued to fill the hoops through #3 Jay Rapiz and #14 Jayson Bacani while Holiday Inn matched this shooting through #11 Jose Luis Prats and #42 Mark Jun Ravelas.
Meanwhile, with only a few minutes in the ballgame Holiday Inn were ahead 70-68 but once again #9 Philip Aguiluz from Black and White saved the day for his team with his long shots that put them ahead by a single point 71-70 while their rivals failed to score before a foul was called and #9 Philip Aguiluz once again scored from the free throw line to ensure a 73-70 victory for Black & White.
Black and White took the Best Player of the Game when it was given to #9 Philip Aguiluz for scoring 25 points.

Kuwait Energy vs Safir International
Later that afternoon, newcomers Kuwait Energy came back in their 3rd game with a bang, as they had lost both their matches earlier in the tournament, when they hammered defending champions Safir International by 90-79 points.
The 1st quarter witnessed both teams in best form with Kuwait Energy Company getting amazing shots through #9 Ryan Ducusin and #15 Waleed while from the other side of the courts #3 Benjie Malijan put in most of the shots, including a long shot, but Safir still came out short with the score 25-20 in favor of Kuwait Energy at the end of the quarter.
Kuwait Energy were full of enthusiasm and at the same time vigilant as they put up a good defense through #15 Waleed that provided easy access to #9 Ryan Ducusin and #12 Willy Rasay, who regularly found the hoops for some good baskets — including a 3 point shot — while Safir International managed to score back to back long shots through #23 Marc and #3 Benjie Malijan as Kuwait Energy led by 7 points 50-43 at the end of the 2nd quarter.

Safir International seemed unable to find the proper approach to swing the lead on their favor although they put in a good defense and collected another 3 points from #3 Benjie Malijan and some points from #11 Macoy. But this was not enough as their rivals replied that long shot through #9 Ryan Ducusin along with some good shots from #3 Edward that kept Kuwait Energy ahead by 14 points 57-71 at the end of the third quarter.
The last quarter of the game saw that Kuwait Energy were never complacent since they knew that their opponents could bounce back into the game anytime.
Safir International put up a good defense through #9 Simbulan while getting some brilliant shooting from #3 Benjie Malijan and #11 Macoy. But Kuwait Energy extended a tight defense through #14 Alagao while there were some mind-blowing shots from #9 Ryan Ducusin that sent Kuwait Energy to an 11-point 90-79-90 victory.
Wearing Jersey #9 Rayan Ducusin of Kuwait Energy who supplied 40 points was declared Best Player of the Game.

N-Dash vs Spirit Warriors
N-Dash claimed their initial victory of the tournament when they brushed aside Spirit Warriors after dominating the game from the start to the finish for a 79-70 triumph.
In the first quarter N-Dash showed that they are wearing their best shoes when they managed to score four long shots, two each from #10 Neil Toledo and #12 Marvin Lompero while from the other side of the bench Spirit Warriors appeared to be warming up although they collected a lot of points through #17 Arnel Concepcion and #11 Dennis Huesca as N-Dash led 27-15 at the end of the first quarter.
The next quarter saw N-Dash stay in a higher gear as they put up a solid defense through #29 Emil Botacion, #16 Ronnie Araneta and #13 Silviro Pepino while Spirit Warriors were in high spirits as they matched their rivals and tried to keep a tight defense through #14 Edwin Casas and #17 Arnel Concepcion but both sides achieved the same score —14 points as N-Dash continued to lead the match by 12 points 41-29 at the end of the 1st half.

Spirit Warriors made an effort to come up with a game plan in the 3rd quarter as they put up a good defense through #4 Dennis Basuel that provided opportunities to score for #8 and #25 Carl Lester Tarroza while #1 Jojit David was called for unsportsmanlike behavior when the going got tough. However, N-Dash kept a tight defense through #19 Chorex Subo and #34 Dennis Arcay that provided easy access to the ring to #10 Neil Toledo for another long shot along with some brilliant shooting from the free throw line by #24 Jaime Palma Jr. as N-Dash kept a hold on the lead 62-50, keeping the same difference of 12 points at the end of the third quarter.

The last 10 minutes of the ballgame witnessed Spirit Warriors determined to sweat as they fought for every point to fire in more baskets through #25 Carl Lester Tarroza along with a3-pointer from #11 Dennis Huesca while N-Dash answered with three long shots from #12 Marvin Lompero, #10 Neil Toledo and #29 Emil Botacion, who was fouled out followed by a technical foul against N-Dash but this did not stop N-Dash from walking home with a 9-point 70-79 victory.Spirit Warriors paid for the lead they conceded in the first quarter although they cut it by three points in the last 10 minutes.
N-Dash took the Best Player of the Game when it was given to #10 Neil Toledo for scoring 22 points.
Meanwhile, FBL-BAP officials would like to inform everyone that the Inter-Company League is exclusively for the bonafide employees of the competing organizations.

Initial standings

Rank Teams W L
1 Kuwait Steel 3 0
2 Black & White 3 1
3 Hilton Kuwait Resort 1 1
4 Holiday Inn 1 1
5 Pirates 1 1
6 MOH 1 1
7 N-Dash 1 1
8 Kuwait Energy 1 2
9 Safir International 0 1
10 Spirit Warriors 0 3
FBL-BAP organizers would like to offer special thanks to Caroll Ong from Metrobank Super Bilis Padala for supporting their events and Gerson Pasumbal from Kapamilya Fastfood Restaurant and Bakery for gift certificates for the Best Player of the Game.