RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, January 30, 2001 - In the last of the 3-in-1 series,
Olaya Palace hotel completed a sweep in the best of three championship round against El
Seif Engineering to capture the Inter Company Division title in the Fila Millennium
Basketball Challenge festival which concluded at the Sheraton Riyadh hotel and towers
court.
The final showdown in one of the biggest city gala, which began couple of months back, was
watched by large weekend crowd who witnessed the exciting and grueling tangles of wits
between the two amateur cage loop contenders.
The new champions, winning by a comfortable margin of 70-59, denied Seif its ambition to
at least win this coveted crown as what they did in Game two.
Coached by Nass Matias, also well known as Jamal, the powerful Olaya team supported its
ever-agile manager, M. A. Ateeq along with busload of fans, weathered the challenge of the
opponents to score this most important victory.
The winners line up of Juanito Payumo, J. Abellana, Pineda, Edwin Dela Cruz and Kram went
up against with Ariel Olmedo, Mervin Castillo and Ramon Estrada. Payumo wrested the
initiative with two successive three point shots outside the perimeter and three follow
ups by Arciaga, Kram and Abellana also went answered due to several passing errors by the
rivals. The first half ended at 40-25 in favor of Olaya.
At the resumption of play in the second half, Seif put the pressure and continued to
penetrate the defense as their playing coach Bodjec Olmedo enter the center court mostly
for the rebound undegoal while Estrada did the powerplay rebound. However, the coach of
the victorious side fielded Dimaapi and Arciaga alternatively in tandem with Kram, Pyumo,
Cruz and Pineda and then they never looked back from there on.
The awarding followed immediately with the presentation of glittering trophies by Helmut
Pluecker – general manager and Thomas Boesch – executive assistant manager, in
the presence of Ahbet Quinto and Franz Krispel of the Power Horse and a guest of honor
Nonoy Quema, an international poet.
The champions received the glittering championship trophy, dozen of Fila shoes, Power
Horse T-shirts, caps and belt-bags. Seif, the first runner up picked up a trophy, dozen of
Fila shoes, Power Horse T-shirts and caps. NaRS (men in nursing) and Saudi Media System
finished second and third runner ups. Respectively, they each received a trophy, dozen of
Power Horse T-shirts and caps.
All the individual awardees were given away trophies, Fila shoes and Power Horse gifts.
The recipients were R. Encinas, Saudi Media Systems – highest single scorer; Ferdie
Ligan, NaRs – highest three points scorer; Kram, Olaya Palace hotel – most
disciplined player; J. Campo, Saudi Media System – most highest in steals; Jay
Carlos, Dallah Hospital – most highest in rebounds; M. A. Ateeq, Olaya Palace hotel
– best manager, Bodjec Olmedo, El Seif Engineering – best coach; El Seif
Engineering – best team in uniform; L. M. Ericsson – most disciplined team.
Each of mythical five also received a trophy, a pair of Fila shoes, Power Horse gift and
necklace with pendant. They were best guards – Melvin Castillo, El Seif Engineering
and Juanito Payumo, Olaya palace hotel; best forwards – Encinas and Ariel Olmedo;
best center – Kram. The most valuable player (MVP) award went to Olmedo. He was
presented with a pair of Fila shoes, Power Horse gift, special gift from the committee and
a commemorative plaque from Sheraton hotel. The selection criteria for the mythical five
and MVP were based on the statistical record of each of the player from the beginning of
the tournament till its finish.
The Riyadh Inter hotels Sports Committee, the organizers, aired words of thanks for M.
Dumia of the Philippine embassy for gracing the opening, Abdul Mumen Al Garawi - general
manager of Sodas Sports, the sole distributor of Fila shoes and sportswear who is
sponsoring the event for the last eight years, Kirspel, Qunito, Nonoy Quema (Power Horse
energy drink), Ammar Issa, Sebastian Thomas (Pepsi Cola), all members of the hotels
committee, FCBR for their officiating the league for the last thirteen years, Dan De
Jesus-BAR president, and his associates, Francis Maca and Rey Bautista, Puno for their
full support.
More action for the fans is on the card as the organizers prepare for their forthcoming
Fila Millennium Cup 2001.
The hotel’s management led by Helmut Pluecker and Thomas Boesch, believes that by
providing and supporting the staff sports activities, Sheraton also helps and develops
awareness of friendship and camaraderie as well as entertainment among the expatriate
workers not only in the hotel industry but also to other companies in the surrounding
communities. |
