SAINT Louis University (SLU)–Laboratory High School topped the men’s contest while Baguio City High School (BCHS) emerged the winner in the women’s contest as both squads topped the SBP 3x3 Under-17 Pambansang Tatluhan Regional Finals at the University of Baguio gym during the weekend.
SLU and BCHS earned a ticket to the SBP 3x3 Under-17 Pambansang Tatluhan National Finals on May 5 and 6 at the Robinson’s Place Manila after besting rivals Cordillera Career Development College and SLU respectively during the weekend.
Angelo Cacho, Magnus Ines, Luis Lising, and Kian Garcia of SLU will join Fidela Angayen, Jhea Sibayan, Christine Angela Venterez, and Althea Nicole Dulay of City High in representing the region in the hopes of taking the home the national crown.
“Masayang masaya po kami at syempre po ma-experience po naming makapunta sa ibang place na narerepresent ang region namin,” Dulay said.
Ines on the other hand said the team needs to train and at the same time work on their conditioning prior to the tournament.
“After siguro ng Palarong Pambansa, we will practice 3 on3,” SLU coach Marlon Pawid said while BCHS coach Joey Agacer said their team, who is also gearing up for Palarong Pambansa said they will intensify their training later this month.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) regional chairman Peter Rey Bautista remains optimistic these teams have a chance in winning the nationals.
“Ang lamang ng taga-Baguio, bihira mapagod,” Bautista said adding in 3 on 3 games, high resistance, stamina, and speed are the winning factors, rather than height as compared to regular five-against-five games.
Bautista added athletes from all over the Philippines are skilled and flexible enough to take on the roles of shooting, dribbling, and defending simultaneously but the athletes from CAR’s high-altitude training puts them at a great advantage.
Thirty–two teams of 17–years–old and under from various schools participated during the regionals with University of Baguio placing 3rd in both men’s and women’s division.
The national champion will represent the country in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup on May 26-28 slated in Malaysia. (Mitch Garganta/UP Baguio Intern)