NEWLY-CROWNED Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)-Davao 3X3 boys regional champion Philippine Academy of Sakya (PAS) expects an uphill contest in the national finals slated October 28 to 30 in Manila.
Sakya defeated Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Blue Knights, 21-18, in the boys finals match held at the Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) Petro Gazz Arena over the weekend.
PAS head coach Rolando Sancho, in a text interview with SunStar Davao Wednesday, October 9, said, “Honestly, I didn’t expect the Sakya team to win the regional SBP 3X3 considering na unang taon ko rin po ngayon sa Sakya (it is my first year in Sakya).”
He said also said they kept their tight defense, adding, “The boys played with teamwork and trust with each other.”
He was pertaining to his players Francis Jan Dagpin, Prince Carrl Urbiztondo, Kurt Vincent Magbanua and Wilfred Khim Remollo.
PAS routed Barangay Maa, 21-15, in the semifinals after defeating Davao Jones Academy (DJA), 14-10, in the quarterfinals.
But Sancho said they could not just depend on sheer luck when they play against tougher teams in the nationals.
“We will just do our best and pray na healthy ang Sakya players pagdating sa Manila and we will see baka maganda ang ipakita ng mga bata against taller Manila players,” he said, adding that they will compensate their lack of height with their speed.
PAS players’ average height are between 5’9 to 5’10.
Sancho was the former head coach of Assumption College of Davao (ACD) for the past seven years before joining PAS recently. He steered ACD to four NBTC titles and three SBP 3X3 titles. ACD also represented the Davao Association of Catholic Schools to Ceap Mindanao; played for Davao City Athletic Association (Dcaa) to the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet and the Palarong Pambansa in the past under his mentorship.
The veteran coach thanked PAS administration and the parents of the players for their support.
Meanwhile, Addu girls team of coach Cyrielle Ramintas subdued ACD, 21-16, in their titular showdown after surviving past Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC)-Salvador, 11-10, in the semifinals and beating Philippine Women’s College (PWC), 13-10, in the quarterfinals.
Addu will also vie for honors in the upcoming SBP 3X3 national finals.