DOHA: Defending champion Rumaillah Group easily dumped Western Union Tamaraws 106-77 in the lopsided fourth quarter that saw the losing team only limited to two points in the crucial seven minutes of play that should have spelled the difference of the game in the ongoing 6th McDonald’s Qatar Basketball Cup 2010 of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ).

The game was actually a roller coaster right from the start with both teams refusing to allow their opponents pull away into double digits lead if only to maintain the momentum of the game until the deciding final quarter.

Led by import Rodel Mallari who played an excellent all-around game, Rumaillah started to pull away 78-70, with still 7:25 left by dominating the offensive rebounds while the Western Union hitmen could not find a good range and has been missing the crucial baskets.

With 5:07 left, Rumaillah continued the onslaught by widening the lead to 15 points, 85-70, and never looked back. Rumaillah has regained its lost pride with the two successive wins in the last two weekends and improved their standing to five wins and three losses and now in fourth place position.

Western Union, finalist of the last conference, fell to four wins and four losses even as they still remain in contention going into the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, PIBAQ has announced there will be no games on Friday as Pilipinas Visdak and Qatar Kentz have notified them they will no longer play the last no bearing games scheduled for both teams.

With this development, Rumaillah benefited their winning streak to a default victory over Pilipinas Visdak. The quarter-finals of the conference will be back after the week-long FIBA Asia Champions Cup at Al Gharafa Stadium.

THE PENINSULA