By KMA PERERA

JEDDAH — At the completion of first round games last week, KAMC, Carton United, Net Channel & AGM emerged semifinalists in the B Division of the SAGCO Cup. Semifinals in both A and B divisions will be played today and tomorrow at the SAGCO Basketball Court in Sinaiya Industrial Area IV.

Carton United confirmed their birth in the semis by defeating Attieh Steel 85-58. Carton, needing a must win in this game to quality for the last four stage, played in full gear, with their ace striker Bustamante active in much of the period.

He justified it with a spectacular display of basketball with numerous assists and penetrations to score 30 points. He was awarded the best player trophy. M. Evarretta also scored 21 points for Carton.

AGM became the only team to end up with a clean sheet of wins from their first round games, this time, beating Mattex by 61-37. In the low scoring lacklustre game, AGM had full control and played leisurely, perhaps to hold their energies for the semifinal showdown next week against strong NET Channel. Jojo Aringo of AGM scored 20 points to win the best player award.

Halwani salvaged some pride by defeating Saja Pharma 70-55. Halwani won 3-2 in the first round, but could not reach the semis, as AGM and KAMC from the same group held better records. Ares Calunsag of Halwani scored 30 points and he was adjudged the best player.

Pepsi too could not get through to the semifinals but won a game in consolation against Toya Pinehill. Although the result has no bearing, both teams fought to the end to win, and in last seconds, Pepsi won it by one point margin 69-68. M. Abece of Pepsi was adjudged the best player, and he scored 23 points and N. Luhayan also scored 17 for Pepsi. For Toya, Dan Lugue scored 13 points.

SADAFCO and Carvan won by default as their opponents Aquat and Sunbulah respectively failed to appear for their games. However, that didn’t affect the overall standing as all four teams were out of the running for a last four berth.

Scores: Carton United 85 Jeff Bustamante 30 M. Evarretta 21 – Attieh Steel 58 F. Vidal 12 B. Diloy 9; AGM 61 Jojo Aringo 20 Anipa 6 – Mattex 37 Fruta 16 Sarcia 7; Halwani 70 Ares Calunsag 30 Gerry Ramos 21 – Saja Pharma 55 Roland Sumiklab 24 Kem Bautista 21; Pepsi 69 M. Abece 23 N. Luyahan 17 – Toya Pinehill 68 D.G. Lugue 13 G. Dela Cruz 12. Weekend's highest scorer: Jeff Bustamante of Carton & Ares Calunsag of Halwani shared the honor, scoring 30 points each.