Al-Saad in semis

By Mohammad Rasheed SuyatJEDDAH – Al-Saad of coach Rodel Gallarde beat Moda of Reyes 77-45 to enter the semifinals of the Inter-Company Division of the JBL Basketball Tournament at the Bin Mahfouz basketball court here. Al-Saad showed no mercy to Moda which was knocked out in the elimination round. The loser was playing even undermanned with 7 players. However, they managed to stay alive up to second quarter. Lumanlan scored 15 points with his medium jumpers and was adjudged the Giordano player of the game while Bhoyet Tordecilla carried the scoring load for the loser with 24 points. This tournament is sponsored by Giordano Fashions , ABS-CBN - The Filipino Channel, Al-Haddaf Sports Wear and Wael Sports Wear and Saudi Signs.Jeddah Eagles Basketball Academy defeated Tema 89-77. The winner played a free running game to take an early double digit lead in the first quarter. Jeddah Ealges’s Noe Advincula fired four consecutive 3-point shots from different angles to ice the game. Alfred and Tarek top-scored with 22 points apiece for the winner and were adjudged the JBL players of the game while Dorado scored 20 points for the loser.Nesma beat Marhaba 87-74 to claim twice to beat in the semifinal cross-over against Jeddah Eagles. The winner’s fast game was unstoppable for the loser which tried to keep up with rival. It lost its steam in the third quarter. Carino maintained his shooting percentage and scored 20 points for Nesma. He was adjudged as the Saudi Signs player of the game while Creencia scored a 27 personal best for the loser.JBL will start the knockout cross-over semifinal round this weekend with Nesma having a twice to beat advantage against Jeddah Eagles as Nesma finished the elimination round with no loss record.Meanwhile, Jeddah Basketball League invited Non-rated teams for its second project of 2012 – the Inter-company and 5’8” and below Non-rated basketball tournament. It is tentatively scheduled to start on June 8. Interested teams may contact JBL President Mohammed Rasheed (0569403586) or JBL Commissioner Joe dela Cerna (054 0284793).