Doha: PIBAQ Falcons defeated the PBA Legends 90-85 in an exhibition game held here before the Emir Cup basketball final.
The game held at Al Gharaffa Sports Club’s Indoor Stadium saw around 5,000 cheering Filipinos fans.
The PBA legends suffered an early blow. In the first period, PBA Legend player Roger Yap suffered an early injury which added to the list of its injured team members Don Damaso and Benjie Paras. Nevertheless, the PBA legends remained determined to deliver their best performance during the game to satisfy to the thirst of their thousands of fans. The firstperiod ended with Falcons leading at 25-22.
The game between the Legends and Falcons continued to be a close affair and an intense one in the second period with Falcons leading Legends by just one point, 45-44.
The Legend fans had high hopes that they can lead the game but they failed because of the agility of the young players the Falcons has in its ranks against the experience of Legends.
In the third period Falcons tallied double digit points lead at 74-61.
The final period become more intense between the two teams when Falcons’ lead was reduced to four points and with the last five minutes remaining in the fourth period which brought pleasure to the cheering Legends fans.
With 1:39 minutes remaining, a technical foul was slapped against Legend’s Jerry Cordinera and the referee’s call was greeted by boos from the crowd. The Falcons won at 90-85.
Earlier, the event kicked off when the PBA Legends paraded their souvenir orange and white jersey in the middle of the court as a symbolic gift to Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) for allowing them to play basketball in Qatar and for the unending support of QBF to the Filipino basketball community leagues. The symbolic offer was happily accepted by QBF President Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, QBF Executive Director Saadoun Al Kuwari.
The crowd applauded and cheered as leading PBA Legend and coach “Papa Bear” Benjie Paras introduced his PBA Legend team-mates as they approached the centre court followed by the PIBAQ Falcon players for the traditional aisle pictorial before the press.
Benjie is also a known celebrity actor with his performance in a TV series “Got To Believe”.
The Peninsula
