By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Going against all the big dogs in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Western Visayas finals, Melchor Memorial School from Aklan proved they belong.
The boys from Aklan were one of the biggest revelations in the recently concluded tournament, showing that basketball in Ibajay, Aklan is alive and thriving.
At first glance, the hoopers representing Ibajay looked shy, tense, and a little nervous of the crowd around them coming from the different parts of Western Visayas.
But once they stepped on the court, it was all business.
The Melchor squad took down Antique in the first game of the eliminations, impressing most with their aggressive style of play including converting a high percentage of their shots from down-town.
Although falling against the powerhouse St. Robert’s International Academy from Iloilo, Melchor bounced back big time in probably their best performance in the NBTC Western Visayas.
Facing elimination against the NBTC Western Visayas champions, the Bacolod Tay Tung squad, Melchor pulled-off one of the biggest scares in the tournament.
While being the underdogs, the boys from Aklan played their hearts out against the powerhouse Bacolod squad and put them through the grinder during their hard-fought match.
Tay Tung ended up winning the game, 74-73, but Melchor Memorial showed the entire Western Visayas that they will fight until the end.
Melchor even led 36-31 at the half against Tay Tung and poured in the scoring even more in the second half, shocking Tay Tung with their efficient offensive sets.
The performance of the boys from Aklan garnered them ovations from the crowd and even the the respect of their opponents.
Melchor showed heart and passion, putting up a valiant fight against the NBTC WV champions and even came close to dispatching them.
This squad will certainly be a team to watch out for.
