MANILA – Iloilo basketball players settled for second place in the Wilson 3×3 National Finals at the Toby’s Arena in Pasig City.
The team – comprising Gwen Miles Pendon, Kent John Parreñas, Matt Atanas, and Louie Jay Villarosa – succumbed to a close 12-13 defeat to Taguig (Manila).
The loss was a heartbreaker for the John Guanco-mentored team of St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets players.
Iloilo was ahead by as much as 6 points early in the game with conversions from Pendon when Manila responded with its own rally to snatch the lead 12-11 with over a minute left.
The Ilonggos managed to tie the scores 12-all on a conversion by Parreñas before Manila escaped with a win on a free throw by Jacob Cortez.
“I am still proud that we were able to reach this far and even had a chance to win it all,” said Guanco. “We will learn from this and try to return here next year.”
On its way to the finals Iloilo defeated Zamboanga City, Santa Rosa and Cagayan de Oro in the elimination round. The Ilonggos ousted Capiz in the semifinals.
Aside from Iloilo, 11 other teams competed – Zamboanga, Cebu, Nueva Ecija, Santa Rosa, Leyte, Roxas City, Cagayan de Oro, Taguig (Manila), Ormoc, and Dapitan./PN
