ILOILO City – Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix retained its crown in the 2019 ISSA Meet secondary boys basketball. It posted an 85-78 overtime win over St. Robert’s International Panda Rockets in Game 3 of the finals at the WIT Gym.
Reneil Gamboa spearheaded the attack with 18 points while Dave Bagatnan, Cedrick Manzano and Julian Maverick Puerto contributed 12 markers apiece on Monday.
This was the fourth consecutive secondary boys basketball championship for the Vincent Conlu-mentored Red Phoenix, the second straight year they defeated the Panda Rockets.
The game was tight the entire regulation period with each squad having their runs by the Red Phoenix and Panda Rockets ended up at 68-all forcing the five minute extension.
The Red Phoenix leaned on the exploits of Gamboa, Puerto and Jann Paolo Villariza in the extension period as they created the much-needed separation from the Panda Rockets.
Gwyn Miles Pendon tallied 26 points, Oscar Roy Jacinto added 21 markers, while Louie Jay Villaroza was held to just 10 points after exploding for 36 in Panda Rockets’ Game 2 win./PN
