Mercado helps UAE Exchange quell Cabalen challenge

Arch-rivals UAE Exchange rode on a fine performance from Ganni Mercado to quell Cabalen/Arabian Shipchandlers with an 84-82 verdict in the elimination round of the PBA-Dubai eighth conference basketball tournament at the Al Wasl Club last week.

Mercado topped all scorers with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists as UAE Exchange won a battle which was decided only in the dying minutes.

Though not of much significance, UAE Exchange could avenge their recent loss to the same side in the recently-concluded Abu Dhabi tournament.

The deciding fourth quarter started an exchange of baskets by Juvinil Yu and Rene Suba for 60-65, still in favour of Cabalen.

Manuel, Ganni Mercado, Sonny Toring, and Roy Lura went berserk as they combined for an 18-4 blast that put the Exchangers on the lead 78-67 with 3 minutes 26 seconds remaining.

G. Mercado and Suba split their respective charities as the Exchangers held on to an 81-79 hairline lead with 7.8 seconds left. A quick foul by Olaguer sent the veteran Manuel to the line who in turn coolly sank two charities for 83-79.

Mendoza converted a hair-raising three-point shot for 82-83 deficit by Cabalen and he immediately stalled time (0.7 seconds) by committing a quick foul on Toring.

Toring's converted first shot from the 15-ft line served as the insurance basket as UAE Exchange logged their fifth win against one loss.

In the other senior division matches, Gimik, led by Edwin Pimentel with 28 points, won 103-95 against Al Rawabi/Digital Clues, while Marwan Engineering/Sharjah United/Digital Clues, fought back from a 16-point deficit to clinch an 81-69 victory over Dubai Drydocks.

In the inter-hotel division, defending champion Crowne Plaza, led by Alex Calueng with 25 points, demolished Dusit Dubai 146-64, while Ramil Javier, garnered 23 points to stamp his class to lead Metropolitan to a 76-63 win over Fairmont.