JEDDAH — NRF of coach Gerry Acosta scored a 124-109 win over Manila Zago to claim game 1 of the best-of-three finals in the non-rated Group A Division series at Al Baik basketball court in Jeddah. Both teams played well throughout the game. The winner went on the offensive in the final quarter with a barrage of three pointers. The loser missed important baskets near the end. Ali scored 54 points for NRF and was adjudged the PEAK Sodas Sports Player of the Game. Navarro top scored with 48 points for the loser. The tournament is principally sponsored by PEAK Sodas Sports and Shoe Arena with co-sponsors Mandhoubiyah Islamic Propagation Office, Jeddah Dawah Center, Deepvision Advertising Company and Bro Mousa Ignacio. Khalidia Tambayz of coach Ronnie Carino also beat Avengers 92-88 to advance to the best-of-three championship series in Group B Division. The winner rallied to wrest control of the game, which the loser controlled up to the third quarter. The winner applied run-and-gun offense to slowly trim the lead and get back into the game. Calaunan scored 28 points for the winner and was named the Player of the Game. Geniza had 27 points for the loser. Meanwhile, Fame Gensoul Basketball Club will open the 3rd season soon. After 3 months of training under the strict watch of trainers (Sam Sabangan, Glen Musngi, Raffy David, Ernel Paner, Henry Alipante, Christopher Ali Gaspar, Popo Ahmad Alonto and Donald Dolloso) the children/trainees will display their talents on the court. Matches will be played in three divisions, consisting of 20 teams. There are seven teams in Midgets Division, 7 in Junior Division and 6 in Parent/Seniors Division. Officials of this tournament are coach Sam Sabangan, Edwin Gonzales and Joel Silvestre. Scores: NRF 124 — Ali 54, Tapdasan 22, Baruelo 16, Pugoy 11, Acosta 10, Gonzales 9, Vasquez 2. Manila Zago 109 — Navarro 48, Samson 15, Louie 15, Jerico 12, Creencia 10, Dennis 4, Reggie 3, Marlon 2. Khalidia Tambayz 92 — Calaunan 28, Garcia 24, Paguyo 24, Delos Santos 7, Bogs 4, George 3, Serrano 2. Avengers 88 — Geniza 27, Amparado 13, Dela Vera 12, Carcillar 12, Eleponga 12, Ferrer 6, Richard 4, Feliciano 2.
