MANILA – Twenty-three Western Visayas-based cagers, including 14 from Negros Occidental, are currently strutting their wares in the UAAP Season 81 juniors basketball tournament.
University of the East Junior Warriors has the most number of WV-based cagers at eight led by Bacolod City natives Mike Flores, Jared Tajonera, Venz Escamilla, and Dave Agbas.
Also with the Junior Warriors are Negrenses Shane Dichoso (Himamaylan), Riggy Alinsoring (Bago City), Reiniel Lima (Binalbagan), and Jesse Sullano from Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
National University Bullpups, meanwhile, has four in their roster in Ilonggos Gerry Abadiano and Menard Songcuya, Bago City native Reyland Torres and Harold Alarcon of Bacolod City.
University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, on the other hand, also has four Region 6 players in Antiquenos Jean Raven Beliran (San Jose) and Vince Dolendo (Hamtic), La Carlota, Negros Occidental’s Mark Nonoy and Kevin Barranco of Jaro, Iloilo.
Defending champion Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets has three WV players lined up in Bacolod City natives Daniel Coo and Andrei Lechoncito and Iloilo City’s Ian Espinosa.
Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws have two Ilonggos in John Bryan Sajonia and Ronrei Tolentino, while De La Salle University Junior Archers has Bacolod City’s Lance Jomalesa and Talisay, Negros Occidental’s Nathaniel Sevilla.
In the ongoing UAAP juniors season, Bullpups is on top of standings with 6-1, followed by Baby Tamaraws (5-2), Blue Eaglets (5-2), and Adamson University Baby Falcons (5-2).
Completing the standings were Tiger Cubs and Junior Archers, both with 3-4 win-loss card, followed by Junior Warriors (1-6) and University of the Philippines Junior Maroons (0-7)./PN
