GUIMARAS – University of San Agustin-Iloilo and Antique Boys emerged as champions in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) 3×3 Regional Finals over the weekend at the Buenavista Gym here.
The USA-Iloilo of head coach Jophil Cercado emerged on top among 16 3×3 basketball teams in the 23-Under category after defeating the Pavia, Iloilo team in the championship round.
Franc Steven Tono was hailed as Most Valuable Player in the U-23 division for the San Agustin. The former Santa Clarita International School Primes star is joined by Erljohn Hermogino, Gian Paul Nahine and Elmer Malan in the squad.
“It was a tough competition. All the participating teams were competitive,” Cercado told Panay News. “I am glad our players kept their consistency all the way to the championship.”
Antique Boys, on the other hand, was hailed as the champions in the Under-18 3×3 basketball category, which was participated by 20 teams. The Antiqueños edged Tigbauan Ninjas in the finals.
Kyrok Audrich Palanog was named the Most Valuable Player in the Under-18 division for Antique Boy. Also part of the squad were Peter Jason, Rovic John Sorilla and Romhie Jay Pagunsan.
The Antique Boys players received congratulations and citations from the Local Government Unit-Culasi for their championship feat during their courtesy call on Monday afternoon.
“Congratulations on your championship, you are awesome at your game,” according to LGU-Culasi Administrative aide Ron Alunan. “What an incredible achievement and motivation to Antiqueños.”
According to NBTC Region 6 head Richard Gabayoyo, for now it was only Western Visayas that has held a regional 3×3 competition due to the limitations of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
“For now, it is only Region 6 who has conducted regional 3×3 qualifiers,” Gabayoyo said. “Hopefully, in the future, other regions can also hold this kind of event when the pandemic situation normalizes.”/PN
