NCR reclaims Palaro hoops crown with rout of Central Luzon

TAGUM CITY, Philippines — The National Capital Region cruised to its first secondary boys basketball title since 2012 by beating down Central Luzon, 79-61, in the 2015 Palarong Pambansa on Saturday, May 9 at the USEP gym. 

The squad, composed primarily of cagers from Chiang Kai Shek College, dominated from start to finish and led by as much as 24 points in the second half.

University of the East-bound playmaker Fran Yu topscored with 19 points. Rafael Tibayan, a member of Batang Glias, added 10 points.

“First time sumali dito kaya sobrang blessed talaga kami, wala na kami masasabi,” said the ecstatic 16-year old Yu.

(It’s our first time here so we feel very blessed, we can’t ask say anything else.)

NCR’s Fran Yu, bound for UE in college, is awarded MVP. He had 19 points in the finals #Palaro2015 pic.twitter.com/fuLw9eQM8M

— Jane Bracher (@janebracher) May 9, 2015

“Masaya at proud kami na nakuha namin yung championship especially since very limited time yung preparation namin,” said first time NCR coach Goldwin Monteverde. “Pero nag-respond yung players very well.”

(We’re happy and proud that we got the championship especially since we had very limited to prepare. But the players reponded very well.)

Central Luzon inched to within 33-25 late in the second from a 15-point deficit but crowd-favorite NCR re-established a comfortable double-figure edge by halftime, 37-25. — Rappler.com