SAGCO 1 clinches SAGCO Cup 2015

KMA Perera JEDDAH — SAGCO 1 beat defending champion National Guard (KAMC) 76-63 in the final to win the Saudi Arabian Glass Company (SAGCO) Basketball Invitational Cup 2015 here over the weekend. It was sweet revenge for the host, since it was the National Guard team that beat SAGCO 1 in last year’s final. Both the teams had entered the final unbeaten. National Guard was the hot favorite to claim the crown and a number of critics had forecast a smooth sailing. SAGCO 1, however, had other ideas in mind. It started the game at break-neck speed and kept attacking throughout. It held the lead at the end of each quarter. At the end of the second quarter, SAGCO 1 had a comfortable lead of 15 points, but National Guard, led by the talented trio of Manalili, Daboy Huerto and Ansing pushed hard and managed to trim the advantage to 7 points. The versatile SAGCO 1 player, Rudy Opena, displayed his mastery at both ends of the court. He not only made many a saves, he also penetrated the rival’s defense ruthlessly to score 20 points in the process. SAGCO 1’s Carlo Morada and Oliver Morado were also in their best form. They kept on making basket after basket with help from ball-handler Mark Catindig, whose clever maneuvering completely ruffled the National Guard defense. SAGCO 1 dominated the fourth quarter. To the thunderous cheers of the SAGCO fans, the SAGCO 1 players remained near-perfect at the ring. Several three-point attempts by National Guard remained erratic in trying to reduce the deficit. SAGCO 1 coach Arnel Senosin earned the Best Coach award. Dressed in an alluring NBA-type uniform, he proved a master tactician. SAGCO 1 complied with his game plan and proved to be a different kettle of fish altogether under his tutelage. The spectators also witnessed one of the most exciting games of the tournament, as neither team was willing to concede till the final whistle. Carvan finished second runner-up, beating Al-Yanbie 86-82 in the third-place match. Al-Yanabie claimed the Fair Play Cup. Twenty-four teams from 22 companies participated in the two-and-a-half month tournament. Carlo Morada of SAGCO 1 was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. He also won a return ticket to Dubai sponsored by STTB. Carlo Morada was also named to the Mythical Five along side teammate Oliver Morado, John Monding of Al-Yanabie, Glen Manalili of National Guard and Larry Andrade of Caravan. Arrow Juice, a beverage manufacturer, awarded Swiss Watches to the Mythical Five. John Leal of Madini Transporter, Ninoy Luyahan of Pepsi, Edwin Fuentes of Sunbulah, M. Maputol of Al-Jazeera and N. Cuadra of Electro were named to the second mythical five. Asanga Kulatunge, Home Box manager, gave them gifts. Rudy Opena was spectators’ choice for the best player. Later addressing the audience, Dr. Tariq Al-Fadl, general manager of SAGCO, thanked all the participants and expressed his delight over the SAGCO 1 win. He took pride in the fact that many others have joined the event, which SAGCO started as a social responsibility activity, as sponsors. He emphasized that multiple sponsors will help take the event to new heights. NCMS, a renowned catering provider, sponsored a buffet dinner to mark the end of the tournament. SAGCO conveyed its sincere thanks to Jamal Abdul Aziz, operations manager of NCMS, along side Arrow Juice, STTB, individual sponsors and Saudi Gazette for making the SAGCO Cup 2015 a success Scores Final SAGCO 1 76 — Carlo Morada 30, Rudy Opena 20, Oliver Morado 12, Mark Catindig 12. National Guard 63 — Glen Manalili 20, B. Manalang 18, A. Ansing 10. Third Place Caravan 86 — L. Andrade 26. – Al-Yanabie 82, J. Monding 39, Diloy 11.