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Philippine basketball team the Sta Lucia Realtors overcame a sluggish start last night to outplay national champions Muharraq 77-66
in the opening game of the first Bahrain-Philippines Ambassador's Friendship Games.
The Realtors, still suffering from jet lag and fatigue having only arrived in the kingdom on Wednesday night, used a strong fourth-quarter performance to
turn a narrow lead into the double-digit victory late in the game.
'We started off slow, but I trusted my guys and I wasn't really worried about how close the score was,' Realtors head coach Boyet Fernandez told the GDN.
Muharraq were in control early in the first half, clinging on to a narrow 13-7 edge. The visiting Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) squad, however,
slowly got back into the game, banking on the perimeter shooting of star player and reigning PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kelly Kelly Williams (196-F-82, college: Oakland), who sank
two successive triples prior to the first quarter buzzer to help his team forge a 19-all deadlock.
The game continued to stay close in the second, with Muharraq taking command once again 24-19. But after cutting the deficit down to two,
point guard Dennis Miranda gave the Realtors the lead for good, 36-35, with a three-pointer from above the key. They took a narrow 40-37 lead at the half.
Following a see-saw third quarter, the Realtors were able to extend their advantage.
Miranda then completed two successive fastbreak lay-ups with just under two minutes remaining to give the Realtors a comfortable
73-64 cushion on the way to victory.
There was a brief scare in the game when Realtors Ryan Reyes and Muharraq's Mohammed Al Zain collided while chasing a loose ball.
The pair lay hurt on the ground momentarily before getting up to the relief of the crowd.
'It was a tough game; they are a very good team and they really gave us a challenge,' said Fernandez. 'But we stuck to our game, and
played it out. Our guys are a little out of shape because we only began training recently, and this is why our trip here is very important - we are
taking this as part of our serious preparations for the start of next season.
'We play another tough team tomorrow (today), and we're looking forward to it. It's really nice to be here in Bahrain.'
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Eduardo Pablo Maglaya was in attendance. He, along with acting Bahrain Basketball Association
president Jassim Al Sindi, took part in the ceremonial toss prior to the official tip-off.
During half-time, Kelly Williams treated those in attendance with three rim-rocking slam dunks, including a capper in which he put the ball between his legs
and powerfully slammed it home with his left hand.
The Realtors cap off their Bahrain trip tonight against 2006-'07 national champions Al Ahli. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7.30pm.
Kelly Williams will once again participate in a slam dunk showdown. Tickets for today's game are available at the venue. The booth and doors open at 6pm.
GULF DAILY NEWS/P.Salomon
in the opening game of the first Bahrain-Philippines Ambassador's Friendship Games.
The Realtors, still suffering from jet lag and fatigue having only arrived in the kingdom on Wednesday night, used a strong fourth-quarter performance to
turn a narrow lead into the double-digit victory late in the game.
'We started off slow, but I trusted my guys and I wasn't really worried about how close the score was,' Realtors head coach Boyet Fernandez told the GDN.
Muharraq were in control early in the first half, clinging on to a narrow 13-7 edge. The visiting Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) squad, however,
slowly got back into the game, banking on the perimeter shooting of star player and reigning PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kelly Kelly Williams (196-F-82, college: Oakland), who sank
two successive triples prior to the first quarter buzzer to help his team forge a 19-all deadlock.
The game continued to stay close in the second, with Muharraq taking command once again 24-19. But after cutting the deficit down to two,
point guard Dennis Miranda gave the Realtors the lead for good, 36-35, with a three-pointer from above the key. They took a narrow 40-37 lead at the half.
Following a see-saw third quarter, the Realtors were able to extend their advantage.
Miranda then completed two successive fastbreak lay-ups with just under two minutes remaining to give the Realtors a comfortable
73-64 cushion on the way to victory.
There was a brief scare in the game when Realtors Ryan Reyes and Muharraq's Mohammed Al Zain collided while chasing a loose ball.
The pair lay hurt on the ground momentarily before getting up to the relief of the crowd.
'It was a tough game; they are a very good team and they really gave us a challenge,' said Fernandez. 'But we stuck to our game, and
played it out. Our guys are a little out of shape because we only began training recently, and this is why our trip here is very important - we are
taking this as part of our serious preparations for the start of next season.
'We play another tough team tomorrow (today), and we're looking forward to it. It's really nice to be here in Bahrain.'
Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain Eduardo Pablo Maglaya was in attendance. He, along with acting Bahrain Basketball Association
president Jassim Al Sindi, took part in the ceremonial toss prior to the official tip-off.
During half-time, Kelly Williams treated those in attendance with three rim-rocking slam dunks, including a capper in which he put the ball between his legs
and powerfully slammed it home with his left hand.
The Realtors cap off their Bahrain trip tonight against 2006-'07 national champions Al Ahli. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7.30pm.
Kelly Williams will once again participate in a slam dunk showdown. Tickets for today's game are available at the venue. The booth and doors open at 6pm.
GULF DAILY NEWS/P.Salomon
