Purisima salvages two wins in SBP Chairman’s Cup opening

YOUNG cagers from Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion (CPC) opened the SBP Chairman’s Cup with controlling victories at the Hua Siong College of Iloilo (HSCI) – Ledesco gym, May 12. 

The basketball team based in Roxas City, Capiz smothered other competing squads shot after shot during the tip off of the month long tournament. 

CPC quintet put on an offensive show after delivering shots from the three-point arc to slay Assumption Passi in the U12 division, 88-27. Regional player Henry Peñafiel scored 18 points for the winning team, a reminder why many schools wanted to recruit him. His teammates, Jose Fernandez and Jim Tinoy, also stamped their class in the opening match, providing Purisima with 15 and 14 points, respectively. 

Purisima had a double celebration after their U15 boys pulled off their first win at the expense of SBP Pototon, 122-19. The winning team did not waste any time and easily dismantled their opponents through fast break opportunities and quick drives underneath. 

A total of 10 teams are competing in the U12 division –  Assumption School of Passi City, Colegio de San Jose, Iloilo Central Elementary School (ICES), Hua Siong College of Iloilo, Oton, Passi City, Team Pavia, Purisima – Roxas City, University of San Agustin and PAREF- Westbridge. In the U15 side, participating teams are Assumption School Passi City, Bing Conlu Team, Flying Lizards Draco, HSCI Red Lion Cement, Passi City, Purisima-Roxas City, SBP Pototan Team, Sta. Clarita International School, Asian Link, USA, and PAREF-Westbridge. 

The Chairman’s Cup is named after the late sportsman and philanthropist, Juanito T. Uy. 

Tournament director Bayani Ladrido said the tourney is a first in Iloilo after 30 years. 

“This is a developmental sport at its best. Expected to further boost the confidence of young boys at the same time, improve their skills. The format of the league is unique because for U12 players born 2007 or 12 yrs. old, they will play against players born in the same year, same applied with U15. Only in the 4th quarter that they can be mixed,” he added.