GUIMARAS – Western Institute Technology-ILOPRISAA emerged as champions in the Mayor Eugene Reyes Invitational Cup in the afternoon of Jan.14 at the Buenavista Covered Gym.
They were hailed as champions after Central Philippine University Golden Lions conceded the championship match with over seven minutes left remaining, and with the former leading, 73-60.
The abbreviated championship was a rematch of the recently concluded ILOPRISAA tertiary men’s basketball finals series where WIT pulled of a trail-from-behind triumph over CPU.
Meanwhile, Asialink/E&C Trucking salvaged a bronzed medal finish after a 118-110 victory over sister team P.Doce SBC- Iloilo Doctors College in a prolific scoring battle-for-third game.
Ralph Bajon, Ryan Calamaan, Ronrei Tolentino and John Bryan Sajonia took turns on the offensive artillery as Asialink vented its ire on their sister team following a heartbreaking defeat in the semifinals.
“I am contented with our performance here especially since we played undermanned in some games due to conflicts with NBTC but it is still good that we were able to finish at third place,” said Asialink head coach Rodel Camacho.
Municipality of Buenavista Sports Coordinator Alex Fernandez said that the pocket tournament, which was in line with Buenavista’s Palayag Festival, was aimed at inspiring the young Ilonggo basketball players to hone their skills further.
“This kind of league will inspire our locals and community. With the success of this tournament, we are planning to have another invitational league this summer,” Fernandez said./PN
