BACOLOD City – Three Negros Occidental-based basketball teams are set to slug it out for the Western Visayas championship of the Next Gen Hoops 4 Youth on May 3.
Disciples of Sagay City, Puff Boss and Resto of Talisay City and Underground of Bacolod City with compete against one another in the one-day regional finals at the Visayan Maritime Academy Gymnasium in Bacolod City.
Disciples, Puff Boss and Resto and Underground earned their way to the regional finals by sweeping their two matches each in the regional playoffs last April 23 at VMA Gymnasium.
Disciples of Sagay City defeated University of Negros Occidental Bacolod City, 53-52, in the first round and Sun Yan Sen lloilo City, 62-59, in the second round.
Puff Boss and Resto of Talisay City, on the other hand, bested Martir’s Place Victorias, 43-30, in the first round and Agap Builders, 43-31, in the second round.
Underground of Bacolod City walloped Team Kenn of Talisay City, 47-28, in the opening round before following it up with a 54-23 domination over CBAC Nocturnals of Bacolod City.
Next Gen regional director Mark Belangel said the three Negros teams was supposed to play against the three Region 7 team in Cebu but did not push through due to the coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions.
“The Next Gen Hoops 4 Youth will not push through sa Cebu for the safety of everybody kasi may COVID-19 pa and also kasi may reports nang bagong variant here in the country,” Belangel said.
“So the tournament organizers have decided na yung top three teams from Region 6 will be played here sa Bacolod to determine the Regional Champion of the event,” he added.
Belangel also said that the champion, first and second runner up teams will be cited, same with the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and five Sportsmanship Awards./PN
