SAN JUAN, ILOCOS SUR - What else is new? Height is still might in basketball.
Defending champion National Capital Region (NCRAA) Stalwarts proved this again after it shot down the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Eagles, 100-80, in the Palarong Pambansa 2018 secondary boys basketball gold medal match at the San Juan Municipal Gym here yesterday.
NCRAA took a nine-point lead in the first period but it stretched its advantage, 68-35, at the break.
But the never-say-die Eagles challenged the offensives of the perennial champion and unleashed their own attacks in the final half to cut the lead to 20, outscoring NCRAA, 20-15, 25-17 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
But that was the best the Nestor Sorrosa-coached Eagles could do.
"Nakita naman ng lahat, ginawa ng mga bata ang lahat sa laro kahit na ang lalaki ng NCR players at pumatok ang mga outside shooting nila," he told Sun.Star Davao in an interview after the game.
Davraa's Vince Petdeo Cuajao of Holy Child College of Davao, who wowed spectators with his two slams, said he's happy with how the team performed in the championship.
Cuajao admitted, "Sobrang lalaki po nila talaga. Masaya narin kami at umabot kami ng finals."
He poured in 17 baskets as Aljay Alloso made 19 points for the team that was also bannered by Holy Child's Joshua Reyes, Vence Malero, Mouriz Senarillos, Cayle Manlimos, Emeliano Escalera and Faizal Allong along with Ateneo de Davao University's Lawrence Marione Angeles, St. Mary's College of Tagum's Junnie Perdido and Felix Magallon and Cor Jesu College of Digos's Mark Neil Laput.
Cuajao, who can still play in the Palaro next year, was also hailed as best small forward and joined the Mythical Five led by most valuable player Gerry Austin Abadiano, Terrence John Fortea and Carl Vincent Tamayo of NCR and Calabarzon's Justine Sanchez.
Davraa assistant coach Roger Rabago said Davraa has never won a gold in the Palaro secondary boys basketball as the region also settled for silvers in Tacloban and Zamboanga.
It is interesting to note though that three NCR players from the National University (NU) also played for Davraa before - Miguel Oczon, Cyril Gonzales, and Aaron Buensalida.
The three hugged the Davraa players and also had photo opportunities with them.