ILOILO City – Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix and Sta. Clarita International School Primes entered the ILOPRISAA Meet 2019 secondary boys basketball finals after beating their respective semifinals foes at the University of San Agustin Gym here.
The Red Phoenix made its way back to the championship round after missing it last year following a 75-73 escape over St. Roberts International Academy Panda Rockets in the tightly-contested semifinals game on Wednesday.
The Red Phoenix had the upper-hand for most part of the match but the Panda Rockets showed resiliency as it battled back several times and had a chance to win it if not for a missed triple try.
Dave Bagatnan tallied 24 points, while Julian Maverick Puerto added 17 markers for the Red Phoenix. Gwyn Miles Pendon finished with 15 points, while Oscar Jacinto added 13 for the Primes.
The Primes, for their part, also reached the gold medal round after a 62-54 domination of the dethroned ILOPRISAA Meet champions University of San Agustin.
Michael Jay Jayme finished with 22 points, while Keith Kade Bernasol chipped in 12 markers for the Primes. John Michael Vicencio tallied 13 markers for the SanAg.
“Nakatsamba tayo,” Primes head coach Rodel Camacho told Panay News. “We prepared for this match kasi defending champion ang San Agustin. Hopefully magtuloy-tuloy sa finals.”/PN
