ILOILO City – St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets emerged as champions in the 15-Under boys category of the 2022 Iloilo Schools Development Basketball Tournament held at the Ateneo de Iloilo Gym here.
The Panda Rockets of head coach John Guanco and assistant coach Jureemar Loredo captured the division championship by defeating Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix, 80-67.
Gian Carlo Gamala had a splendid showing for the Panda Rockets to be hailed as the Most Valuable Player, while teammate Kyle Nino Sardon was named as part of Mythical 12.
On their way to the championship round, the Panda Rockets prevailed over Integros, while the Red Phoenix turned back Iloilo Sun Yat Sen High School in the other Final Four match.
Prior to that, the Panda Rockets swept all their group matches against Sun Yat Sen, Central Philippine University Golden Lions, University of San Agustin and PAREF Westbridge.
Also part of the Panda Rockets were Kenjie Caro, Shuya Constantino, Jester Dula-ogon, Fernando Gadong, Skylze Gadong, Shaun Gumela, Samuel Madison, Michsan Onate, Patrick Pacheco, Jimuel Paredes, Lorenzo Robles, Paul Santome, and Carl Suganob.
Eugene Chua, team manager and head of basketball operations of St. Roberts, was proud of the showing of his players in the tournament that started on Nov. 5 and ended last Sunday.
“I am proud of the way they played the entire tournament,” Chua told Panay News on Tuesday. “It was not easy competing here, especially sa finals since Hua Siong ang nakalaban namin.”
“This is also a great learning experience for our young players and we hope to compete in more local competitions here in Iloilo City soon just to hone their skills further,” he added.
Hua Siong did not go home empty handed as Honorio Murillo was named as part of the Mythical 12. The top two schools also received additional cash prize from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas regional director Robert Uy./PN
