Philippines' Blackwater Elite win 2016 Chief Minister Cup in Penang; India's Karnataka finish 5th

With a dominant final win over the host side, Philippines' Blackwater Elite won the 3rd Penang Chief Minister Cup International Basketball Championship in Penang, Malaysia at the Han Chiang Indoor Stadium on Tuesday, June 7. India's representative at the tournament - Karnataka - finished 5th out of the six teams.

Photo via Fox Sports Asia

The Penang Chief Minister Cup is an invitational championship in Malaysia for club/state teams from various Asian countries. This year, the tournament featured a team each from Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, China, Chinese Taipei, and India. The Men's tournament was held from June 3-7.

Led by a stacked roster of contributors, Blackwater easily defeated host squad Malaysia Dragons in the tournament's final on Tuesday, 95-42. Blackwater held a slim eight-point lead at halftime but a third quarter explosion helped them seal the game and complete a perfect 5-0 sweep in the tournament.

India's representatives were the state team from Karnataka, who had added a few star players from Tamil Nadu to boost their squad. Led by Coach G Dilip, Karnataka featured talents like Arvind Arumugam, Rajesh Uppar, Aravind A., and Akilan Pari.

Karnataka's tournament ended with a close, 84-80 loss in the final game to Thailand's PEA Basketball Club. Despite an early lead, Karnataka let PEA take advantage after slipping in the second quarter, and a late comeback wasn't enough for Karnataka to register their second win in Malaysia. Arumugam (32) and Aravind (18) led the way for Karnataka in the loss. They finished the tournament with a 1-4 record at fifth place.

Karnataka's Chief Minister Cup results:

• Day 1: Malaysia Dragons (Malaysia) 82 - Karnataka 67.
• Day 2: Zhejiang Golden Bulls (China) 119 - Karnataka 49.
• Day 3: Karnataka 96 - Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology (Chinese Taipei) 87.
• Day 4: Blackwater Elite (Philippines) 113 - Karnataka 70.
• Day 5: PEA Basketball Club (Thailand) 84 - Karnataka 80.

Karnataka Men's basketball team in Malaysia for 3rd Penang Chief Minister Cup

Karnataka State's Men's basketball team will represent India at the 3rd Penang Chief Minister Cup International Basketball Championship, set to be held from June 3-7 at the Han Chiang Indoor Stadium in Penang (Malaysia). The championship will feature six teams from six different Asian countries. Karnataka took part in this championship last year and finished fourth out of the six squads.

This year, the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) has ensured that Karnataka sends a power-packed squad, which includes international stars Arvind Arumugam and Rajesh Uppar from the state as well as two international players from Chennai - Aravind A and Akilan Pari - who were given permission to join Team Karnataka by the BFI.

The participating teams in the 3rd Penang Chief Minister Cup are:

• Malaysia Dragons (Malaysia)
• Zhejiang Golden Bulls (China)
• Chien Hsin University of Science & Technology (Chinese Taipei)
• Karnataka State (India)
• PEA Basketball Club (Thailand)
• Blackwater Elite (Philippines)

Penang Basketball Association president Ooi Khoon Yeong added that basketball clinics would be conducted at selected schools by foreign coaches to mark the tournament.

Karnataka's Coach G Dilip, who played for India's 1980 Olympics Basketball team, told to Ekalavyas that the team was ready to prove their credentials. "The boys have trained well and I am sure they will perform very well," he said.

Karnataka Roster for 3rd Penang Chief Minister Cup

• Arvind Arumugam (Vijaya Bank)
• Rajesh Uppar (Vijaya Bank)
• Roby Thomas (Vijaya Bank)
• Karthickeyan S (Vijaya Bank)
• Ganesh S Gowda (Forest Sports Board)
• Chethan Kumar (Beagles)
• Mufeez Ahmed (Sports Hostel, Bangalore)
• Abhishek (NGV)
• Shivaraj Kumar (IBBC)
• Prajwal Shetty (Beagles)
• Aravind A (IOB)
• Akilan Pari (Income Tax)
• Head Coach: G Dilip