Davao boys U18 team bows out in SBP 3x3 semifinals
DAVAO Region boys U18 champion team Philippine Academy of Sakya City absorbed a heartbreaking 13-14 loss to Zamboanga Peninsula to bow out in the semifinals of the SBP 3×3 Pambansang Tatluhan held October 30 at Robinsons Place Manila Activity Center.
Rolando Sancho-coached Sakya boys Kurt Vincent Magbanua, Khim Remollo,
Prince Carl Urbiztondo and Francis Jan Dagpin earlier stunned National Capital Region (NCR) South, 20-16 in the quarterfinals.
Zamboanga dribblers, for their part, demolished NCR North, 17-15, in another quarterfinals encounter.
In the eliminations, Davao lost to Palawan, 18-19, but eked out wins over Dagupan City (21-18) and Tuguegarao City (21-9).
Urbiztondo, who is a first-timer in the SBP 3x3 nationals along with Magbanua, said: "Okay kaayo. We never expect na moabot mi ug semis (It was a great experience for us. We did not expect we would reach the semifinals."
He also said, "Dili jud to para sa amoa (It was not really for us)."
In the girls under-18 event, Davao champion Ateneo de Davao University Lady Blue Knights of coach Cyrielle Ramintas succumbed to Ilocos Region, 16-18, in the quarterfinals.
The Lady Blue Knights routed Region 3 Zambales, 19-10, and Region 2 Cagayan Valley, 14-2, but lost to NCR North Mandaluyong, 10-11.
Coach Ramintas said, "It was a great experience for the players considering that it was our first time to qualify for the nationals. They were very proud to represent the region. They learned a lot about themselves and from their opponents."
Both PAS and Addu emerged champions in the regional SBP 3x3 held early this month by SBP-Davao under regional director Glenn Escandor.