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By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Saturday, April 29, 2017
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Star-on-the-rise Ilonggo Ryan Calama-an (8) attempts to block a shot by defending champion Calabarzon during their 2017 Palarong Pambansa semifinals match on Friday at the Evelio B. Javier Sports Complex.
IAN PAUL CORDERO/PN
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SAN JOSE, Antique – The Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) advanced to the finals of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa secondary boys’ basketball tournament following a 79-61 upset over defending champion Calabarzon in the semifinals on Friday at the Evelio B. Javier Sports Complex.
Led by Ilonggo big man Ryan Calama-an and Marvin Cuerbo, the WVRAA team recovered from an early deficit in the opening minutes to pull away to a 45-37 advantage at halftime.
WVRAA continued its dominance in the second half, at the same time relying on Calama-an for defense to build its largest lead at 75-55 against the San Beda Red Cubs-backed Calabarzon.
“It is not easy facing the defending champions and I am glad that my players stood up to the challenge,” said WVRAA head coach Rodel Camacho. “Now that we are already in the finals, we will give it all especially we are playing in front of our fellow Ilonggos.”
“We just hope that they will continue to watch our games live (today). Their cheers are a good help to boost the confidence of our players. Rest assured we will not let them down,” he added.
Western Visayas is still waiting for the result of the other semifinals matchup, between Central Visayas and the National Capital Region which is represented by the Adamson Baby Falcons and Chiang Kai Shek College.
Meanwhile, WVRAA reached the finals of elementary boys’ football after a 2-0 win over the Davao Region in the semifinals. The host team will face Central Visayas in the one-game finale on Saturday morning.
However, WVRAA will be one man short heading into the titular showdown with Mark Cyrill Kapunan ruled out after sustaining a left arm fracture against Davao Region.
“Nag-defense siya tapos tinulak. Hindi man lang tinawagan ng foul ng referee,” rued WVRAA coach Ariel Bedic. “Tingin ko mananalo kami (against Central Visayas), may tiwala ako sa team namin.”/PN
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