MANILA – Starhorse-Basilan salvaged a bronze medal finish in the 3rd Governor Ann K. Hofer’s Invitational Basketball Tournament with a 75-60 victory over College of St. Benilde Blazers over the weekend in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
Lorenzo Navarro spearheaded his team’s second half breakaway with his outside conversions to be named Player of the Game for the Starhorse-Basilan.
“We’ve been here in Zamboanga for a week, and we just want to end the tournament on a high note,” Navarro said in a post-game interview. “All out na din kami kasi last game na namin ito dito eh.”
“Motivation rin namin na we lost to the same team a day before, so we just wanted to get back at them, and we also want to win,” he added. “Part din ito ng preparation namin for the upcoming tournaments.”
After falling behind early in the first half, Starhorse-Basilan managed to force a deadlock at 34-all at the half before pulling away from the Blazers in the third quarter for a 55-48 advantage.
The Starhorse-Basilan continued their attack in the fourth quarter as they stretched the lead to its largest at 15 points at 72-57 with over two minutes remaining.
“The team will definitely carry this win and the lessons learned in the next chapter, which is the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League,” said Starhorse-Basilan co-team owner Jackson Chua.
Meanwhile, host team Zamboanga Valientes emerged as champions following a 91-81 victory over Letran Asenso Bancoro in the gold medal match. Sam Deguara was named as the tournament MVP.
“This championship is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players. They fought through every challenge and proved that we belong at the top,” said Zamboanga Valientes head coach Bobidick Delos Santos Jr./PN
