Showing the entire repertoire, Hua Siong College of Iloilo finally booked its Palarong Pambansa 2023 tickets after finishing second in the Cluster 3 Pre-Palarong Pambansa Qualification Meet secondary boys basketball event in Cebu City.
The Red Phoenix, coached by Vincent Conlu, represented Western Visayas and wrapped up the tournament with a 2-1 win-loss slate following victories over Regions 9 and 10. They suffered their lone loss to Region 7, represented by Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.
Despite failing from finishing atop, the kids of Coach Conlu remains content as his team will once again compete in the Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City, which was postponed for several years due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“We promise to represent our province well. We fell short but we still achieved our goal,” Conlu said.
The Red Phoenix is composed of Thomas Pillado and Karl Nonoy, who were all receiving offers to play from Manila-based high school squads. Ricky Murillo, Matt Laurence Acosta, Ken Murillo, Wesley Lana, Adonieram Roy Malaga, Amiel Dominic Dema-ala, Jid Locsin, Rymanuel Montinola, Jann Francis Yu Barcellano and Yuan Reyes completed the winning lineup.
Meanwhile, Western Visayas elementary boys basketball team, composed of players from Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, also earned the right to play in Marikina after sweeping their three matches.
Leading the way for the Ryan Nabor-mentored Western Visayas elementary boys basketball team were James Carlo Ramos, Nilus Robert Calma, Gian Kyle Tan, Ashton Jared Buñol, Francis Luis Alcoran, Ronald Delada, Joseph Magbanua, Zachary Cuansing, Chase Liam Verba, Kevin Joseph Babor, Tristan Randall and Acster Ken Panisales.IMT Sports
