CENTERPHIL Montessori Silver Knights have claimed the championship in the Iloilo Province Goodwill Games after beating University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, 76-73, in the finals at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
Lester Valn Paraico led the way with 14 points, Jose Rey Tuya added 13 markers, while Narince Ballano and Jhonrei Congreso had 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Silver Knights.
Just like in their elimination round game, Silver Knights went toe to toe with UNO-R since the start before the former was able to eke out the close win behind clutch hits from Paraico and Tuya.
The Andee Ticson-mentored Silver Knights reached the finals after sweeping their three elimination round games, while UNO-R captured the second finals seat after outdueling Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix in the final elimination round game.
Aside from ruling the tournament, the Silver Knights also earned the right to represent Visayas in the 2019 SMART Breakdown Basketball 17-under National Battle of Champions slated on March in Manila.
Last year, it was also the Silver Knights who represented the Visayas in the Manila-based tournament, where they finished second place to Xavier University-National Capital Region.
āGetting the chance to represent Visayas again in Breakdown Basketball is a huge achievement,ā said CenterPhil owner Mark Plagata Palabrica. āI am sure they boys will enjoy the experience to play against the best high school teams in the country.ā
The two-day Goodwill Games was part of the Iloilo Provinceās program under the Center for Sports and Physical Fitness, which is being headed by sports development officer IV Ray Cabarles./PN
