SAGCO1 emerges champ again

By KMA Perera JEDDAH — SAGCO1 team retained the title in A Division of the SAGCO basketball fifth conference by beating Al-Yamamah in a thrilling final amid huge cheers and trumpet celebrations of home fans here at the Industrial City. SAGCO1 has thus completed a back-to-back victory after clinching the cup in 2015. Made to sweat in the second session with a one-point deficit, SAGCO1 had to retain its best players for a longer period as Yamamah was not ready to give up. As in the first two quarters Yamamah was dominating with a wave of attacks, which resulted in neat baskets. But a resurgent SAGCO1, changed its tactics in the third and fourth quarters, unleashing its best forwards Rudy Opena, Oliver Morado and Arjhay Mendoza. Once they settled into a rhythm with well-coordinated movements, assisted by Rex Gonzaga and Mark Catindig, Al-Yamamah was left clueless for a counter attack and sank further with penalties. Moreover, forwards Barrantes and Javier looked tired and eventually succumbed to a 87-74 loss. Arjay Mendoza was adjudged the best player of the final. For SAGCO1 and SAGCO family, including employees and the management, it was a perfect icing on the cake as they clinched the prestigious championship again. Sunbulah team secured the third place, defeating NAPICO 76-69. E. Fuentes won the best player award. Sunbulah also bagged this year’s Fair Play Award for sportsmanship displayed through out the tournament. V. Buhat of SAGCO1 won the award for individual achievement. He made the highest individual score of 42 in a single game. Earlier, Nico De Wet, SAGCO plant manager, speaking to the large crowd gathered for the finale, said that SAGCO has earned the reputation as the best basketball tournament organizer in the city. He also expressed his sincere wishes and hoped to continue this tournament as a “Social Responsibility Event” by providing the opportunity to the teams with limited financial resources. Guest of honor Philippine Vice Consul Alexander Joseph Estomo emphasized the importance of being law-abiding citizen involving in sports, instead of getting tangled up in vices. KMA Perera, SAGCO welfare officer, made the closing remarks, and specially thanked Vice Consul of Philippines for attending both the inauguration and the final. He also extended his gratitude to the SAGCO management for its whole-hearted support that made the tournament run continuously for five years. He also thanked major sponsors Arrow Juice, NCMS and STTB Travel Agency and also individual donors from SAGCO family, who contributed for various awards and gifts. Mythical Five: Arjhay Mendoza (SAGCO1), Rudy Opena (SAGCO1), Renmark Rarama (NAPICO), R. Barrantes (Al-Yamamah) and E. Fuentes (Sunbulah). The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award went to Rudy Opena of SAGCO1 and he won a Jeddah-Dubai-Jeddah air ticket, sponsored by STTB Travel. Arjhay Mendoza (SAGCO1) won the best player award in the final. Scores: SAGCO1 87 — A. Mendoza 24, R.Opena 17. Al-Yamamah 74 — Estrella 28, R. Barrantes 16. Sunbulah 76 — E. Fuentes 31, D. Munez 17. NAPICO 69 — R. Rarama 18, E. Baysauli 10.