Sydney Amigos basketball team pipped Melbourne United 59-58, during the finals of the National Australian Sports Association (NASA) basketball finals at the Kevin Beets Stadium in Mt Druitt last Sunday 20 April long weekend holiday.
In a thrilling game, Melbourne United never-say-die play almost caught up with the early lead of the habitual winner of the Goodwill Games Championship trophy the Sydney Amigos, until buzzer time when Melbourne’s three pointer put the score still a point shy of the championship.
Early on during the previous day, visiting teams and individuals were welcomed in a reception attended by Blacktown City Council officials and Philippine Consul General Anne Jaando-on Louis. It was learned that NASA’s Goodwill Games will be expanded next year to include more overseas team. Three-time participant Filipino basketball team from Singapore did not make it this time.
Lead convenor Mr Manny Castillo, OAM. of Philippine Australian Sports and Culture (PASC), Inc. paid special thanks to Filipino sportsmen from as far as Darwin for joining the Goodwill Games which highlighted the sporting presence of Filipinos in Australian regional areas.
Results of the two-day tournament in Sydney:
Basketball
Sydney Amigos – 2014 champion; Melbourne Integrated – Runner Up; Sydney Merque Team – 3rd place; and Adelaide Filipino Basketball Association, 4th place, Darwin Filipino Basketball League, 5th
Golf (At Brighton Golf Course, Liverpool)
Overall Team Champion – Pogi Golf Club of Sydney : Individual Mens Division Winner – Ross Sandoval, Runner Up – Renz Miclat; Men’s Division 2 Winner – Keith Sta Barbara , Pogi Golf; Runner Up – BoySanding, Melbourne; Ladies Division Winner – Laura Marquinez, PASC; Runner Up – Keith Wagner, Hurstvill GC
Chess Tournament:
Winner – Rey Calixto; Runner Up – Rodolfo Cristobal; Third Place – Mario Aisa; Fourth Place – Edward Ombina
Tennis:
Team Champion – PATAS Club Sydney , Runner Up – PATAB Brisbane