Oman basketball: Times of Oman, Assarain Group to vie for title

Muscat: Times of Oman and Assarain Group will clash in the final of the 8th FILCOSOC–FMB Basketball Tournament on Friday.
The summit clash is scheduled to be played at Oman Club in Al Khuwair from 9.00 p.m.
The tournament is being jointly organized by the Filipino Community Social Club (FILCOSOC) and Filipino Muscat Ballers (FMB).
The Assarain Muscateers, a seasoned championship team under the multi-titled coach Peter Barro, will rely heavily on their playmakers JP Orquia and Chris Toriente, formidable center Mark Constantino and Nino Zotomayor, high-leaping forwards Mac Sta. Juana and Jason Cortez, hot-shooting Rainier Barro, new acquisitions Joecel Ramos, Aquino and Guitterez and their veteran defensive players Nandy Marcera, Gary Gangoso and Jojo Pumanes.
The Times of Oman, which improved their line-up during the off-season, was steered to finals by their ever reliable coach Clarence Carlos, will be banking on their dreaded back-court tandem of rookie Froilan Busquit and scoring machine Romwel Galang.
They will be backed up by their bigs in Alvin Sambo, Emerson Mallari, Harris Palo and new rookies Art Medina and Art Abesamis. They will be counting also on the offensive plays of Anton Tan, Henry Abling, Jay Dacatimbang, Mark and Kirk Sakai, Boboy Escoto and the hotshot Bisoy Rances. The defence will be on the hands of Karlo Sakai, Isao Tanigawa, Elmer Mallari and their hard-nosed defender Sean Abellanosa.
The organisers of the tournament thanked the support of the sponsors, Assarain Group of Companies, Asia Express Exchange, Times of Oman, Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, Khimji Ramdas, Kuwait Airways, Robinson’s Land, Lens Buddies, Consolidated Contractors Company Oman, Millenium Hotels & Resort, Wasalak Team, Baranggay 29 Team and Nokie Pirates Team.
The final day’s proceedings will include an exciting Skills Challenge and 3-point shootout contests.