CAPIZ is back on top after nearly six decades after beating Negros Occidental, 77-63, in the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet 2019 secondary boys basketball finals on Thursday at the Villareal Stadium in Roxas City.
Led by veterans Janwell Famaranco and Raffy Arguelles, the Capiznons surged to an early 22-9 start before building a 36-17 lead midway in the second period on a pair of three-pointers.
The Hercor College Junior Jaguars-backed Capiz widened its lead to its largest at 63-43 in the second half before the Negrenses attempted to make a fight back but could only come to as close as 14 points.
The victory was huge for the Capiz basketball team as it was their first WVRAA Meet championship in 57 years. They will represent the Western Visayas in the Palarong Pambansa in Davao City.
Dethroned champion Iloilo, meanwhile, salvaged a bronze medal finish in the secondary boys basketball after defeating Antique, 92-61, in the battle-for-third place match.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental repeated as champions in the elementary boys basketball as they prevailed over the Iloilo Province, 59-52, in a tightly-contested gold medal match.
It was a seesaw affair for both squads since the start of the match but Justin Jalea and Vince Hugo kept the Bacolod Tay Tung High School-represented Negros afloat in the final quarter to clinch the victory.
Capiz, meanwhile, took home the bronze medal in the elementary boys basketball after manhandling Antique, 79-38./PN
