ILOILO City – St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets-Elite Lab retained the 15-and-under category crown of the 11th Chairman’s Cup-Iloilo on Thursday at the Iloilo Sports Complex Gym.
Led by tournament Most Valuable Player Jeff Ghuile Gabasa, the Panda Rockets repeated as champions in the category following a 72-42 victory over Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix.
Also part of the Panda Rockets roster were Skylze Nicholai and Fernando Daniel Gadong, Ace Maestral, Johnelijah Luke Rose, Russell Clib Puga, Sebastian Jorg Jocsing, and Shaun Arnulf Gumela.
Completing the roster of head coach John Guanco are Jhon Rican Jeruta, William James Roma, Kyle Justin Dellera, Reil Edwin Gutierrez, Bjorn Villaluna, Benjamin Madison, Jhude Rayven Nerio, Christian John Demaisip, and John Vincent Lelis.
“We did not expect that the outcome would be like that but it gave us an opportunity to utilize all our players and give them the much-needed exposure for our future games,” said Elite Lab co-founder Eugene Chua.
“All of their hard work every day in the gym has paid off with this championship,” he added. “Hope this will serve as an added inspiration for them to continue improving to achieve their goals.”
Angelicum School Iloilo-UST Blue Owls, on the other hand, continued their impressive run in the 17-and-under category as they defeated CenterPhil Montessori Silver Knights in the finals, 96-88 (OT).
The Blue Owls, mentored by Juanito Gumapas and Albert Nabo, pulled off a shocker in the semifinals round last week after defeating the veteran-laded Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix.
The Blue Owls will serve as lloilo’s representative to the Chairman’s Cup Philippines 2024 to be held from August 14 to 18 here.
In the 12-and-under category, Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix emerged victorious after defeating Leganes Elementary School in a one-sided championship game, 87-57./PN
