Team Lions ousted every other team in the U16 age category after winning three games in the tournament for the coveted trophy. Bryl Alegre nailed eight points while teammate Nevin Salem drew first blood of the game garnering a total of six points to beat team RBC Cougars, 16-14.
The Lions stepped it up a notch upon entering the court for game two against the Celtics. Alegre scored nine points during game two showcasing his basketball talent.
Taking a bold shot behind the three pointer mark and sending the crowd into a wild frenzy served as a strong motivation for the Lions’ Mark Villiones. The Lions left the Celtics behind in the loser’s bracket to move forward in the caging, 18-9.
The tournament could not host the championship match in the U16 age category to due the unwavering rain and used team statistics and standings to determine the winner. Because the Lions moved through the tourney unscathed officials granted them the championship crown.
“It was a great tournament although I wish we were able to play the championship round,” said the Lion’s Coach Rex Yabut in an interview with the Variety.
“My players had good coordination and good teamwork with excellent tactical plays to keep them roaring past the other teams. The good chemistry of the team contributed to our success as well,” he further stated.
“I’d like to congratulate and thank all of the people who competed and helped out with the FIBA 33 three-on-three competition,” Yabut said.
The Lions team was composed of Jaymark Deguzman, Nevin Salem, Bryl Alegre, Ken Orojola, and Mark Villones.
Team PJ’s settled themselves comfortably in second place while team Cougars clinched third place to complete the top three teams in a pool of six teams.
In the U12 age category THE RBC-Ballers soared past all other contenders vying for the throne. During their first encounter against their sister team, the RBC-Rascals; the Ballers’ John Sam Darag drew first blood after nailing a jump shot against the Rascals’ center man.
The Ballers moved forward after edging past their sister team, 10-8. In their next game they were bracketed against their other sister team, team RBC-Hoops. With much ease Darag scored another six points to finish the kill.
The Ballers gave neither time nor chance to Hoops after leaving them in the ditch 10-2. In their final game before the rain poured out angrily, the Ballers were pegged against team His and Her’s. With much success as the first two games they encountered the Ballerse left their opposing team behind.
Young gun Glen Vidal showcased his basketball talents in front of his superiors after garnering ten points while working with teammate Darag’s five points. The Ballers served team His and Her’s a 20-2 game deficit.
The Ballers bagged the coveted trophy while team His and Her’s situated themselves in second place and third place was notched by team RBC-Hoops. Team RBC-Ballers was made up of CJ Morales, John Sam Darag, Glen Vidal, and Angel Factor.
Each game was allotted two five minute periods and one two minute interval between the periods. During the competition the players were given ten seconds to shoot the ball. FIBA 33 is a three-on-three competition where each team wins by either having the most points or the first team to reach 33 points.
“I would like to thank everyone who came out here and supported the competition and all of the people who volunteered to help run this basketball tournament run smoothly,” said league coordinator Abner Venus to the Variety.
When asked for comments about halting the open division and the championship rounds Venus replied, “It’s too bad the weather did not permit other games to commence but this beyond all of our control. I’m just thankful that most of the tournament flew and were a success.”
