Hotshots from Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix successfully captured the 1st Chairman’s Cup Philippines 17-and-Under basketball tournament title after beating University of San Agustin, 90-76 at the Ty Eng Liong Gymnasium of Hua Siong-Ledesco Campus.
Providing the sparks for the winning team, Negrense guard Jid Locsin displayed all-around performance for the Red Phoenix in their gold medal game against the Augustinians as he was named Most Valuable Player.
The La Carlota City, Negros Occidental-native Locsin was also named as part of the Mythical Five along with SanAg’s Corian Cabantog and Gerome Ferrer, Kent Basa of Province of Palawan and Emmanuel Salvio of University of St. La Salle.
Coached by Vincent Conlu, the Red Phoenix started their campaign in the three-day tournament with a two-point win over Province of Palawan before scoring a lopsided win against University of St. La Salle.
After clinching an outright semifinals seat with their 2-0 record in the group stage, the Red Phoenix once again prevailed over University of St. La Salle in the Final Four round to bag a seat in the finals.
Jann Francis Barcellano, Wesley Lana, Honorio Murillo, Rasheed James Duran, John Irvin Sitchon, Henry Penafiel, Rymanuel Montinola, Amiel Dema-ala, Glenn Sucro, John Cabrales and Arnel Fuerte also composed the winning squad.
Louie Sandig and Shan Yap, meanwhile, were added as late additions to the Hua Siong squad after Dave Recodo and Rean Marchus Matillano were deemed ineligible to compete in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Province of Palawan ranked third after defeating University of St. La Salle-Bacolod in the battle for third place game.
The 1st Chairman’s Cup Philippines served as a culmination to the Chairman’s Cup qualifying tournaments held earlier this year in Iloilo City, Negros Occidental and Palawan.IMT Sports
