Mixed fates for Cebu City hoops teams at Batang Pinoy

TAGUM, Philippines – The Cebu City boys and girls teams had contrasting fates in the 2016 Batang Pinoy National Finals of the 3×3 basketball which came to an end at the Rotary Park Gym, Friday, December 2.

While the boys team manned by members of the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers and sponsored by CM Farm bagged the gold with a 17-15 outsmarting of Zamboanga City, the girls team manned by players of the Abellana National School bowed down to Davao City, 16-20.

Zamboanga City is represented by players from Ateneo de Zamboanga while Davao City was comprised of players from the Assumption of Davao College.

Cebu City was led by Jim Paul Amistoso who topscored for the team with 6 points including two shots from the 2-point area.

Beirn Anthony Laurente added 5 points, while Tagum City’s pride—Jearolan Omandac had 4 points including the shot that broke the 14-all tie with just seconds left in the contest and handed Cebu City a 2-point lead at 16-14. Team captain Justin Jake Perry Rosete capped his game with 2 points. Rosete is also a native of Davao City.

The girls team, on the other hand, have Florence Jil Talas, Darliene Ragasajo, Katherine Kaye Pacada and Nina Cuadero.

The boys team was coached by long-time UV coach Delfin Pepito and accompanied by assistant coach Van Halen Parmis while the girls team was helmed by Fred Serafica, who used to play for the Crispa Redmanizer in the PBA.

Having gone through the eliminations with a breeze, the Cebu City boys team was sorely tested by the Zamboanga del Sur in the quarterfinals, 21-18, and by Davao City, 13-12, in the semifinals.

“Bigay na lang natin ang best natin kasi last na lang to kapag natalo tayo, wala na tayo (We should just give our best because this is the last, if we lose in this, we get dropped),” Rosete said about their game against Zamboanga del Sur. 

Rosete said that Zamboanga del Sur is a strong team and in fact, they have not won against the team when they played against them twice during their tune-up games.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga kasama ko kasi nag step up sila at hindi sila nawawalan ng lakas ng loob (I am thanking my teammates because they stepped up their game and did not lose the will to succeed),” added Rosete. 

The game, which was played before a jampacked crowd, deadlocked 8 times before Omandac sank his game deciding shot. Amistoso then sealed the win for Cebu City by splitting his charities.

Cebu City is the defending champion in the event but last year it was represented by players from the University of San Carlos. – Rappler.com