IBAJAY, Aklan -- The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts will move unto the SM-Chooks-to-Go National Basketball Training Center national finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on March 20-24, 2020 after an 89-77 victory over Iloilo’s St. Robert’s International School here at the Ibajay Social Hall in Aklan.
Named “most valuable player” 15-year-old Hanjz Gabriel Demisana came out with a huge performance in the finals as he tallied 17 points, including a triple to spearhead his team to this golden victory in the NBTC regional finals as Ralph Allen Cagalawan and Kent Dustin backstopped with 16 markers apiece.
Also provided firepower for the Thunderbolts are Ditter Ilalto with 9 points, Andy John Villamer with 8 points, and Fritz Valencia with 7 points. Completing the martin Jay Beatingo, Leindon Klein Chong, Benedick Gulmatico, Josh Joaquin Luciano, John Mark Mercado, Joseph Palaganas, Lucky Charm Ramos, and Jules Sean Wong.
“I never expected this victory as the boys were so tired following a close semifinal result against host-Aklan. But, the willingness and the heart of the players were the factors in this victory,” said Tay Tung Coach Ronald Despi, who is also joined by team consultant Dexter Dy.
En route the finals, Tay Tung survived a very close semifinal game against Melchor Memorial School, 74-73 while St. Robert’s dominated Hercor College, 94-62.