HUA Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix came up with a late run to pull off a 70-69 win over St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets in Game 1 of the ISSA Meet secondary boys basketball finals at the Western Institute of Technology gym.
Trailing 62-66 with under two minutes left in the Monday night game, the Red Phoenix went on an 8-0 scoring run behind JJ Gerochi, Reynold Tupas and Lee Yanzi Jimera to surge 68-66.
The Panda Rockets had a chance to snatch the lead but Roy Oscar Jacinto misfired in his 3-point attempt before the Red Phoenix raised the advantage to 70-66 with two free throws from Ritchie Galvez.
Reniel Gamboa led the Red Phoenix – the defending champions – with 17 markers while Tupas chipped in 14 markers. Gwyn Miles Pendon finished with 20 points for the Panda Rockets.
The Vincent Conlu-mentored Red Phoenix can wrap up the championship series in Game 2 on Wednesday afternoon. If the Panda Rockets can level the series, the do-or-die Game 3 will be on Friday.
In elementary boys’ basketball, the Red Phoenix and University of San Agustin sealed their place in the best-of-three finale after disposing of their respective semifinals foes.
The Red Phoenix beat St. Joseph School 62-20 with Rod Efren Hautea and Amiel Dominic Dema-ala making 10 points each, while San Agustin defeated Ateneo de Iloilo 31-26 with Chad Ernest Cartel on the lead (13 points).
Game 1 of the Red Phoenix-San Agustin series will start 2 p.m. Wednesday while the tertiary men finale between Iloilo Doctors’ College and John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University will be at 5 p.m./PN
