THE Bacolod girls 3×3 team nearly pulled the improbable after reaching the finals of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) 3×3 U-16 basketball national finals last Sunday at the Harrison Plaza in Malate, Manila.
Kiara Isabelle Mejica, Shalimar Dublar, Charity Grace Gicana, and Kaye Pesquera fell short in the finale after an 8-16 loss to Region 10’s Prezzy Anana, Cheska Apag, Aloha Marie Betanio, and Rovelyn Guno.
Prior to that, the Bacolod team was on a roll as it swept its elimination round games against Region 4B (Neslyn Sayse, Carille May Madula, Diana Ross Fajel, and Zyra Motin), NCR-North (Lalaine Gonzales, Bernalyn Aragon, Kim Ulpindo, and Marielle Vingno) and Region 2 (Katrina Pasion, Christine Mae Bulaqui, Maria Monica Bulatao, and Louvelle Louise Guzman).
The winning run continued in the playoff round at the expense of Region 9’s Ronalyn Torres, Camille Escares, Trixie Naingue, and Allana Farallon in the quarterfinals 21-7 before escaping with a 13-11 win over Region 1’s Reign Zareno, Jojie Acosta, Layza Bautista, and Roselle Vinluan in the semifinals.
SBP Region 6 operations head Bayani Ladrido, who accompanied the delegation, said fatigue might have caught up with the Bacolod team after the players got on three straight matches.
“It is still a commendable effort for our Region 6 representatives to finish as runner-up,” Ladrido said.
Meanwhile, the boys team – represented by Iloilo City’s Hinze Paul Drilon, Jaspher Antijendra, Mico Exaltado, and Jims Vincent Jimiera – failed to reach the next round after dropping all its elimination round games.
The Ilonggo boys bowed to Region 7’s Michael Carin, Emilio Enzo Badiana, Renzo Gantala, and CJay Gonzales; Region 5’s Christian Mortega, Dazel Aspe, Zenric Jarque, and Brian Santos; and Region 4A’s Jan Derick Villarez, Lean Benedict Acosta, Jan Rae Atienza, and Francisco Darrel Capacete.
WILSON 3X3
Four Capiz-based squads earned a slot in the national finals after ruling their respective divisions in the Roxas City leg of the Wilson 3×3 Basketball Challenge recently at the Dayao Gym in Roxas City, Capiz.
They will represent Roxas City in the Wilson 3×3 Basketball Challenge Nationals in May 2019 at the San Juan Arena, according to tournament head organizer Tobee Diaz de Leon-Abad.
Team RJLS of Ryan James Corpuz, Sydrick Babela, Leomil Samon, and Joperson Vista won the 19 and under category in the Roxas leg, while Team Purisima ruled the 16 and under event.
The team of Aki Valina, Scott Concepcion, Christian Buncalan, and Shaun Bula will represent Roxas in the 13 and under category, while Team CCS F4 will play in the 10 and under.
After Roxas City, the 3×3 basketball qualifiers will play in Antique province on Oct. 27 and Iloilo City on Nov. 3./PN
