Nasoku lift Sri Putatan Cup
KOTA KINABALU: Team Nasoku showed their prowess by overcoming a determined G.O.M side to be crowned champions in the Sri Putatan Cup basketball tournament recently.
The teams were involved in an exciting 40-minute duel that ended with Nasoku claiming the title after a 69-57 final win over G.O.M at the Sri Putatan Hall near here.
Borneo Wolf comprising experienced players finished third after beating their youthful opponents UGBC 79-67 in the bronze medal match.
The week-long tournament was organised by PGRS Tanjung Keramat in collaboration with co-organiser Putatan Basketball Association (Puba).
PGRS Tanjung Keramat division chief Ummar Arriff, congratulated all the winning teams in his speech at the closing ceremony.
He also expressed gratitude to Puba for the assistance to make the tournament a success.
“I hope the district basketball association will organise more tournaments in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Puba president Tai Ket Hau said the tournament had achieved its objectives in promoting unity, which was implemented via its match format.
“A team must have at least two players from different races on the court at all times to enhance friendship and appreciate the differences between different races and cultures,” he said.
Tai went on to stress the significance of the tournament, which was a first to be held in Putatan district.
“It is definitely a big step forward to bring the sport of basketball into Putatan and definitely more activities and tournaments will be held with the aims of encouraging healthy lifestyle through sports and to unearth new talents,” he said in a statement.
Tai also extended his gratitude to Sabah Basketball Association (Saba) president Phan Chee Yung for supporting the tournament as well as Puba.
Puba secretary Danny Chin, on the other hand, thanked Putatan member of parliament Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya for his support of the tournament.