CENTERPHIL Montessori Silver Knights booked a seat to the finals of the Iloilo Province Goodwill Games after winning its first two elimination round matches on Friday at the Iloilo Sports Complex.
Silver Knights opened its campaign by scoring a 77-72 victory over Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix, in a rematch of the 2nd Iloilo Governor’s Cup Regional Basketball finals last Thursday.
Lester Valn Paraico had another explosive performance to finish with 21 points, while Jose Rey Tuya and Jhon Deo Sajonia added 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Silver Knights.
In the night cap, the Silver Knights survived a huge challenge from University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos for a 73-70 victory. Tuya top-scored with 20 points, while Adrian Germinal added 12 markers for the winning team.
The Red Phoenix, meanwhile, kept its finals hopes alive after a 97-93 double overtime victory over Ateneo de Cebu. Reynold Tupas anchored Hua Siong’s offense with 25 points.
Both teams have a tight exchange in the entire match to the point that Red Phoenix’s Jann Paolo Villariza was involved in a punching incident that led to his ejection in the match.
Earlier in the day, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos cruised to an easy win over Ateneo de Cebu. For finishing with 1-1 slate, Hua Siong and UNO-R will tangle for the last finals slot./PN
