By KMA PERERA
JEDDAH — Saudi Arabian Glass Co. (SAGCO) Basketball Tournament began last Friday at the SAGCO basketball court in the Sinaiya Industrial Area here with a colorful parade that saw 24 teams lining up for the prestigious SAGCO Cup, which is in its sixth consecutive year.
The tournament was declared open by SAGCO Basketball Tournament Patron/Plant Manager, Nico De Wet, at an opening ceremony, attended by guests Lemuel Lopez, Vice Consul from Philippine Consulate, Jeddah, and Saudi Gazette Sports Editor K.O. Paulson. Among other invitees were, Tilon Reddy, QA manager of SAGCO, and Romao Matias, service manager of SAGCO.
Vice Consul Lemuel, addressing the audience, said that he was pleased to see a large gathering of Filipinos at a sporting event and that would allow the community to know each other and build camaraderie. He also thanked the Saudi Glass Company and the SAGCO Basketball Organization for organizing a professional league with emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility. Paulson thanked SAGCO for choosing Saudi Gazette as its media sponsor for SAGCO Cup since its inception and promised to continue the tradition. Nico De Wet wished all the best for the teams and SAGCO Cup tourney.
Sherin Perera and Jocelyn Magos declared SAGCO A and Caravan muses as the best muses and the prizes were awarded by Nico de Wet. Romao Matias of SAGCO awarded the best in uniform team La Toya. Yusuff Gaffoor of SAGCO sponsored the gifts for all muses. This year, Majed Travels & Tourism, a leading travel agent in Jeddah, also has sponsored a Jed-Dubai-Jed round-trip ticket to the tournament, which will be awarded to a spectator on the day of finals.
This year too, the tournament has been divided into two divisions, where the ranked teams would play in the A Division and non-ranking new comers in the B division.
First game was played between hot favorite and current champion SAGCO1 and PCMC. Dominating from the jump-off SAGCO1 won the opener 81-70. With fine all-round performance and leading with 17 points, Modesto Tejada of SAGCO 1 was adjudged the best player. Teammates, Rudy Opena and captain Ball Marck Catindig also contributed valuable points.
For PCMC, A. Tayras made a solo effort with 31 points, which included several scintillating three-pointers.
SAGCO2 also won its first game in B Division against team Mattex 71-68 to the delight of the home fans. Adornado was named the best player with 27 points.
Al-Yamamah defeated Carvan in a thriller 87-84. Caravan had led by 3 points with just 12 seconds left, but a three-pointer by the best player W. Javier of Yamamah tied the score. The extra five minutes went in favor of Yamamah.
In other games played during the weekend, Jeddah Steel won against Madini Transporter 72-65. P. Ompangco with 19 points was the best player. Net Channel garnered the highest score in the weekend, defeating Attieh Steel 112-67. M. Marquez of Net Channel scored 35 points to become the best player of the game.
SAGCO organizers extend their thanks to Romoa Matias for trophy for team in best uniform, Yusuf Gaffar for gifts to all muses, Nico De Wet for two Swatch watches to two best muses and Rami Al-Dobi, Angelo Fama and S. Sreenivasan for providing trophies for best players in every game and Tilon Reddy for treat to all the committee members.
Scores:
SAGCO1 81 — M. Tejada 17 Rudy Opena 15. PCMC 70 — Tayras 31 T. Soriano 12.
SAGCO2 71 — Adornado 27, Allan Tiango 11. MATTEX 68 — Aquino 25, Herradura 16.
Jeddah Steel 72 — P.Ompangco 19, F. Padit 17. Madini Transport 65 — F.Aranza 22, C. Gonzales 20.
Al-Yamamah 87 — W. Javier 23, Barrantes Jr 18. Caravan 84 — Andrade 24, Villacorta 16.
Net Channel 112 — M. Marquez 35, Pergillana 26. Attieh Steel 67 — Nidoy 20, Arrellano 12.
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