Dubai: Corus came up with a fine team effort to set aside a Smart team challenge to win their maiden title at last weekend's Ligang Pinoy Summer League Western Union Cup 2009.
Played before a packed indoor hall at the Dubai Club for Special Sports, Corus dominated their foes in all quarters to romp away with a comfortable 85-54 victory for the Class B honours.
Frederic Felix Q. Averilla, Marketing Executive, Western Union, handed over the trophies to the winning teams after the finals.
Corus gelled well as a team and that reflected in their defensive play as the Smart shooters found it tough and frustrating to get past the trio of Jonathan 'Blue Iceman' De La Cruz, Ian Masiglat and Glen Polan.
"A strong defence was pretty much a part of our strategy," Corus coach Joey Pagsuyoin later admitted.
With Masiglat, Polan and skipper Jiggy Apil combining, Corus were off to an early 14-0 lead. After frustrating forays under the basket, Smart managed to open their scoring with just one minute to go in the opening quarter through Joey Santiago as Corus trooped off with a 17-4 lead.
They added a further 21 points in the second quarter with Masiglat leading all players with nine points including a charity shot. Adequate support came from Polan who had six points against his name as Smart continued to struggle at 38-18 by the half-time buzzer.
Smart started off the second half in earnest with some initial pressure through Mond Resquitez. But Corus responded well with Arvin Dalumpines coming off the bench for some quick baskets as last year's runners-up kept proceedings in firm control at the end of the third quarter 59-34.
With the Blue Iceman straying past his personal foul quota, the final quarter belonged to the guile shown first by Polan and then by old hand Alex Villanueva as Corus sank in a game-high 26 points to walk away winners.
"We worked out a game plan and stuck to it. Our strategy was to stop their shooters and do some quick counter-attacks. Everything went our way today," beamed skipper Apil.
"This team was hungry for a trophy this year and they just went out there and got what they wanted," added coach Pagsuyoin.
In an earlier match, P&A Dubai reserved their best for the last as they outwitted Konig 74ers 75-71 to walk away with the inter-company title.
Trailing for the best part of the match, P&A Dubai rode on some swift defensive work towards the end of the fourth quarter to take a slender lead and never looked back after that.
"I think our defence did a magnificent job," said skipper Andy Del Rozario.
Are there enough community sporting events being played in the UAE? Are you part of a local sports club? Do such events help in building relationships between people?
Your comments
Congratulations Jigggggy....
Syed Ishaq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 02, 2009, 09:05
