RIYADH — Saudi French Company – Lagardere Travel Retail Duty Free beat Saudi Al Ma’aden Company to claim the championship title in the Seventh Saudi Airlines Catering Inter-Company Basketball Tournament at SACC camp accommodation court, King Khaled International Airport here.
Saudi French Company hammered out a 89-84 victory in a match that was not as close as the scoreline indicated at least in the first two quarters. Saudi French Company erected a 25-17 bubble late in the first quarter and continued its domineering act until end of the half 43-40 on Jay Camad’s fade away shot.
Camad had an inspired 25-point performance, to go with three blocks, five rebounds and three steals for Saudi French Company. Ace guard Marcel Reyno had 20 markers while getting big help from Nordoin Abdulbayan with 14 points.
Center and power forward Janno Nunez had 22-point who made up for his measly six points by collaring 14 rebounds, five of them in the first canto, and making three blocked shots in a routine that merited approval from team manager John Paul Calilung Dizon and coach Esmael Meritos Amin.
It was a see-saw fourth quarter with two of the teams’ key players saddled with fouls — Janno Nunez for Saudi French Company and Joel Jolangcob for Ma’aden — but both showed incredible skill and flexibility as they scored alternately for their sides.
Saudi French Company played man-to-man defense and their never-say-die attitude in the crucial minutes of the game while applying fast break plays for their offense to contain the rival. The presence and support of CEO David Bisset motivated the group to win the title.
Ma’aden, the back-to-back champion from previous seasons, tried hard but most of its top players had an off night. Team players from elimination round and guests showed support to the championship.
Turki Mohammed Al Zahrani, accommodation head, and Commissioner Danilo A. Sy handed over the trophies and gifts to the winners during the awards ceremony.
The awardees in the Inter-Company Basketball League are Saudi French Company / Lagardere Travel Retail Duty Free (Champion), Saudi Mining Company / Ma’aden (First Runner-Up), SAUDIA Brotherhood (Second Runner-Up), Saudi Airlines Catering (Third Runner-up), Jay Ogong Camad (MVP-Finals), Dom Michael King Alafriz (MVP-Conference).
Mythical Five – Joseph Raymond Gonzalez (Best Guard), Luis Boncocan (Best Guard), Janno Nunez (Best Center), Alissandri Masculino (Best Forward), Dom Michael King Alafriz (Best Forward).
Marvin Bustos (Rookie of the Year), Richard Salaysay (Crowds’ Favorite), Alissandri Masculino, Aldrin Berante (Most Ideal Player), Jay Ogong Camad (Highest in 3-Point), Luis Boncocan (Highest in Steal), Richard Salaysay (Highest in Block Shots), Janno Nunez (Highest in Scores, Highest in Assist, Highest in Rebound).
John Paul Calilung Dizon (Best Achiever, Best Manager), Esmael Meritos Amin (Best Coach), Joseph Raymond Gonzalez, Jacob Morana, Donell Omapas, Ricardo Alconga (Most Sportsmanship Players), Guillermo Cutamora, Mark Galang, Mark Cuenca (Best in Conduct), Alpha Star Aviation (Most Organized, Most Punctual, Most Disciplined Team), AFRAS-FRS (Most Cheering Crowds Team), Saudi Al Ma’aden Company (Most Friendly, Most Courteous Team).
The organizers thank RCBC, the principal sponsor headed by Francis Normel Fajardo, donated trophies for Mythical Five and MVP-Finals, Faisuddin Ahmed of Fawri Remittances for giveaways, Basit Nagamura of MyPot for free product taste, Fuad Hassan of Masdar Al Hayat for gifts and Ghulam Dastgir for supporting the tournament.
Helping Danilo Sy run the show since the league started on Aug. 11, are Jamal A. Al Balawi – HR director, Khalid Mohamed Al Zahrani, Khalid Abulmohsen Abuhaimed, Khalid Al Redian, Mohamed Kallel and Ziad El Sandid from CPU group, Elmo P. Maraan, Allan Andres, Julito Gelbolingo, Renan Lazatin, Mark Julius Deocareza, Trevor James Montano, Joel Macaraeg, Jim Bachecha, Danilo Villoria, Mohamed Hashim, Arun Sahadevan, Carlo O. Coronel, Mark Galang, Salvador Dena, John Stafford Sablan, Eduard Navarra from technical committee and representatives of camp housekeeping and security section.
The SABRA (Saudi Arabia Basketball Referees Association) headed by Engr. Raul Aragon and Rashid Rommel Lonceras handled the tournament officiating.
The Scores: Saudi French Company – J. Camad (25), J. Nunez (22), M. Reyno (20), N. Abdulbayan (14), A. Paguital (4) and G. Cutamora (4).Saudi Mining Company – J. Jolangcob (27), X. Jacob (20), D. Omapas (15), A. Evangelista (13), V. Dimacali (5), A. Moshly (2) and R. Navarro (2). — SG
