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By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Monday, May 1, 2017
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ILOILO City – Sky Cable-Iloilo booked the first finals seat in the 2017 Iloilo National Invitational Championship after mounting a shocking upset of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 82-76, on Saturday night at the Mina Municipal Gym.
Cameroonian import Rodrigue Ebondo led the way with 18 points, while former PBA cager Leomar Najorda added nine points for Sky Cable-Iloilo, which climbed to solo first place with a 2-0 win-loss tally.
Sky Cable-Iloilo trailed early in the match with the Maroons hitting their stride from the outside, but the veteran-laden home team managed to claw its way back to make it a close game.
In the second half, it was Sky Cable-Iloilo’s turn to connect their three-point baskets, including back-to-back from Najorda and another from Willie Miller to seal the victory.
Juan Gomez de Llano top-scored with 20 points, including four three-point conversions, for the Maroons, which failed to maximize the skills of center Bright Akhuetie due to his foul trouble.
“Medyo nahirapan kami lalo na nung early part of the match dahil pumapasok yung three-pointers ng UP. But good thing nakabawi kami come second half,” said Sky Cable-Iloilo coach Ronjay Enrile.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws-Toto Tia Ten Trucking boosted its championship hopes with an 83-59 victory over the the Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras, also on Saturday.
The finals heat up today at the newly-revamped Pototan Astrodome with the UP Fighting Maroons facing the Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras in the battle for third place at 4 p.m. The rousing finale between Sky Cable-Iloilo and the Far Eastern University Tamaraws is at 5:30 p.m.
Ilonggo sportsman and organizer Ruding Villaruz highlights that admission is free, so all Ilonggos can seize the opportunity to witness the historic event./PN
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