PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – Iloilo City girls basketball team settled for a runner-up finish in the Batang Pinoy National Finals 2019 after a 103-66 defeat to Cagayan de Oro on Saturday here.
With star player Keena Teruel saddled with foul trouble, Jemma Heart Antoniano of Iloilo City National High School was the lone bright spot for the Ilongga squad in the gold medal match.
Despite falling short in the gold medal game, Iloilo head coach Sharina Jane Padilla still lauded her players for reaching all the way to the finals.
“Big achievement na para sa amin ito considering na first time namin sumali sa Batang Pinoy,” Padilla told Panay News. “Hindi namin ini-expect kasi malalakas ang nakalaban namin. Also, hindi madali ‘yung pinagdaanan namin.”
Aside from Antoniano, also selected from Iloilo City National High School were Leojean Montoya, Lean Tono, Reean Villegas, Princess Anne Payonan, Angellete Faye Palacio, and Angela Mae Tiamson.
Teruel and Cristel Alberte were picked from Mandurriao National High School while Rena Alexia Jalbuena, Katherine Jarloc and Jillian Ladiet were called up from Central Philippine University.
On their way to the championship round, the Ilonggas defeated Davao, 81-74, in the semifinals round on Friday./PN
