Batang Sanna forward Husein Al Natoor was a big factor for their win since he was unstoppable and dominated the board.

Qatar Tribune Daily English Newspaper
By AILYN AGONIA
Pictures by: Ronnie Castro.

DOHA: From being among the low-ranked teams, Batang Sanna team clawed their way into the top four spot in the ongoing 15th season of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (Pibaq) after beating Bluu Gulf 75-70 in a tight match held at the Al Gharafa Training Gym recently. 

The team of Coach Sandie Limin had an unimpressive start in the tournament after experiencing three consecutive losses that buried them in the eighth position of the President Alvita Cup 2014 team standing. Yet, the strong-willed Batang Sanna fought their way back into the game. 

The team is now enjoying 5-2 and secured a slot in the tourney's quarter-final round to be held on August 29. 

However, Sanna's recent showdown on the hard court with Bluu was not a walk in the park. With a mere two-point advantage for Sanna over Bluu 52-50 at the end of the third quarter, it was still anybody's game.

The hardworking Rodel Odal rallied for Sanna and immediately made a three-point shot just within 9 seconds of the start of the fourth quarter. Bluu's Atega tried to replicate the success of Odal with a three-point shot but failed. Another failed two consecutive basket attempts from Bluu gave Sanna a chance to pull away. 

Al Natoor and Laher's back-to-back two point shots gave Sanna an easy nine-point edge early on, 59-50. 

Bluu's never-say-die spirit worked to their advantage and as the game entered the last two minutes period their opponent was only up by 6 points, 70-64. 

Sanna called a full timeout with only 24 seconds left in the clock and their lead was down to four points. But the remaining glimpse of hope of Bluu of catching up with their opponent immediately faded with the failed three-point attempt by Libatog followed by missed free-throw opportunities by Susi. 

Finally, Sanna won the match with a five-point edge, 75-70. 

"Hard work, patience and team spirit are our motivation to make it this far and secure a slot in the quarterfinal round, which we will prepare for," Henry Desiderio, Batang Sanna's team manager, commented at the end of the game. 

Meanwhile, it was a come from behind win for QDVC LRT after defeating Dukhan Ballers with a six-point edge, 91-85.