Emaar survived DP World’s fourth quarter rally and escaped with a 53-49 win to advance to the second round of the Jazzville Cup 2-day Basketball League at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
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Jerome Santos scored 11 points for Emaar who were expected to cruise to victory after leading by as much as 15, 40-25, at the end of the third quarter after a slow start and leading by just four points, 23-19, at the half.
But Emaar became lax at the start of the fourth quarter while DP World had a 19-8 spurt, behind the hot-shooting hands of Jameer Nora who hit three triples in the final period and strong drives to the basket by Mike Carandang, to keep the game close, 48-44, going into the last two minutes of the game.
Arem Libuton then bailed out Emaar with his two free throws to give his team a six-point cushion, 50-44, but Nora and Gabriel Benitez made clutch baskets to push DP World closer, 50-49.
DP World even had a chance to grab the lead after Marvin Drilon made a steal and was sent to the free throw line but he did not convert his two charities while on the other end of the court Jun Leopando calmly sunk his two free throws to give Emaar a three-point margin, 52-49, with only nine seconds left.
DP World failed to convert a basket in their next possession while Flojo sealed the four-point win for Emaar with a split free throw.
“It was a scary game but we pulled a down-to-the-wire victory because we went back to basic tight defence in the closing minutes,” Emaar player-coach Anthony Arenio told Sport360.
For his part, DP World coach Bart Buenaobra said: “We gave our best. We were able to bring down a big deficit to just one point but we just fell short as time ran out.”
Emaar will join 15 other teams in Round 2 on Friday of the Jazzville Cup, powered by Janzen Kate Sports, which saw the participation of 30 basketball teams.
Other game results: Cailey Team trashed JK Boys 50-30; Team Bryan defeated Razorback 40-35; Oil & Gas trounced Gulf Extrusion 65-43; Kendah Team overwhelmed Sabado Boys 58-34; Malang Team dominated Batangas 48-30; SDL Team escaped Al Maya Boys 53-48; Gaponians shocked Masuli 48-38; Hot Toreros demolished Emgoldex 44-30; KOJ surpassed Streetballers36-33; Kairos crushed SFMC 55-42; Old School overran V6 41-33 and Villa 7 vanquished Jemarick Team 32-21.
Scorers:
Emaar 53 – Jerome Santos 11; Arem Libuton 8; Jun Leopando 7; Flojo 6; Ian Ganadan 6; Anthony Arenio 5; Reynaldo Perez 4; Rodrigo Castillo 3; Cabigting 2; Angelo Mamba 1
DP World 49 – Jameer Nora 15; Gabriel Benitez 9; Baleon Astobal 8; Jojie Tatel 5; Mike Carandang 4; Relan Aristan 2; Randy Laurente 2; Marvin Drilon 2; George Cadag 1; Akbar Benitez 1
