BINGAWAN, Iloilo – Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix took home the crown in the Bingawan Foundation Cup-Season IV 2023 Preseason High School Basketball Premier Tournament held recently at the Bingawan Civic Center here.
The Vincent Conlu-mentored Red Phoenix clinched the championship after scoring a 100-91 triumph over St. Joseph Technical-Vocational Center Los Obreros in the one-game finale.
Rymanuel Montinola was hailed as the Most Valuable Player as he joined teammates Jid Locsin and Dave Recodo in the Mythical Team along with Los Obreros’ Hanz Tyron Dumol and Santa Clarita International School Primes’ Jian Carlo Gamala.
It was the second consecutive championship of the Red Phoenix after also clinching the 1st Chairman’s Cup Philippines 17-and-Under basketball tournament recently in Iloilo City.
The Red Phoenix were scorching to start the game as they quickly established a 25-12 advantage but the Los Obreros showed some fight as they cut the deficit to 19-26 heading into the second quarter.
Hua Siong, however, regained their offense as they widened the advantage to 55-28 before increasing it further to 62-43 at the half and at 87-60 after the first 30 minutes of the contest.
The Los Obreros went on a massive run in the fourth quarter as they managed to cut the deficit to 85-100 before pulling even closer at 91-100 but the time was not on their side as the Red Phoenix escaped with a win.
On their way to the championship round, the Red Phoenix prevailed over Central Philippine University Golden Lions, 106-87, while the Los Obreros turned back the Primes, 95-86.
Aside from Montinola, Locsin, and Recodo also members of the Red Phoenix team are Jann Francis Barcellano, Wesley Lana, Honorio Murillo, Rasheed James Duran, John Irvin Sitchon, Henry Penafiel, Amiel Dema-ala, Glenn Sucro, John Cabrales, Louie Sandig, Shan Yap, Rean Marchus Matillano, and Arnel Fuerte.
Meanwhile, the Rodel Camacho-mentored Primes managed to salvage a bronze medal finish in the tournament after defeating the Golden Lions, 99-76, in the battle for third place game./PN
