Hua Siong cruises past CenterPhil in NBTC-Iloilo Quarterfinals

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix crushed the CenterPhil Montessori Silver Knights, 107-86, on the last day of the quarterfinals in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) League Iloilo leg.

Lester Paraico of the Silver Knights did all he could but the firepower and the cohesion the Red Phoenix showed was just too much.

Soon as the whistle was blown, the high-octane offense of Hua Siong was in full display as they marathoned up and down the court for numerous baskets.

Maverick Puerto of the Red Phoenix went in waxing hot as he fired early triples and went to the cup as much as he wanted that provided a large cushion for them.

As the game went on, the Hua Siong offense became more deadly as Cedrick Manzano and Dave Bagatnan’s two-man game hurt the CenterPhil interior.

Establishing a 20-point lead by the end of the third, coach Vincent Conlu instructed his guys to play with the same level they had the previous quarters and to attack CenterPhil at every opportunity.

With the win, the Red Phoenix punched their ticket to the NBTC-Iloilo semifinals.