Qatar Falcons triumph in Filipino cagefest

Qatar Falcons defeated FAEC Dammam 102-86 to win 2016 PIDC-GCC All-Filipino Championship Cup.
The all-star selection of Qatar PIBAQ Falcon led throughout the game with double-digit edge and the closest difference that visiting Filipino squad from Dammam, Saudi Arabia was seven points in the heat of the games in the second half.
Tournament’s most valuabale player Ronnie Cajayon was unstoppable with his Stephen Curry-like nine of 13 conversions in the rainbow territory carrying his team to well-deserved victory with highest 34 points.
Abu Dhabi’s Jazzvile JK Sports won over NDC PGW Ajman Dubai to claim the third spot in the two-day tournament.
“It was an exciting four-nation matches among top Filipino ball clubs in the Gulf region and we look forward for a similar successful feat in the future,” said Pat Carido, SBP Qatar Official and president of host Pinoy Basketball of Qatar and tournament over-all director.
The tournament served as a major highlight of the 118th Independence Day celebration of the large Filipino community in Qatar.
Aside from Cajayon, who received a one round-trip ticket, former Philippine Basketball Association, Alaska Aces standout Nino Gelig who was picked as Finals MVP was awarded similar one round trip ticket from Philippine Airlines.
Cajayon was also picked as part of the Mythical Five Awardees with other star players from other teams including Elmer Fabula of FAEC-Dammam in the guard position, Christopher Guerrero of JK Sports-JBL Abu Dhabi and Mathew Carney of FAEC Dammam in the forward position and Falcon’s Rodel Mallari as center.
To the delight of the huge Filipino crowd who jam-packed the sports event, organisers have given away three Ooredoo Mini iPads apart from two round-trip tickets to Efren Buenafe and Morino Jabon.
The 2016 PIDC GCC All-Filipino Championship Cup was brought by Qatar Basketball Federation in co-operation with the Philippine embassy in Qatar and United Filipino Organisations in Qatar (UFOQ).