Team Raco/Hofer wins championship of ‘Araw ng Sibugay’ hoopfest

CEBU, Philippines -  Team Raco/Hofer of coach Van Halen Parmis is on a roll, clinching its third title in a row after it escaped past the equally-tough Montaña Pawnshop of Davao City, 85-83, in their sudden-death final match to rule the 13th Araw ng Sibugay Governor's Open Basketball Tournament witnessed by a roaring crowd of 9,000-plus at the Ipil Sports Complex in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

"It's an honor for us to play before such a huge crowd and winning the championship was really a sweet icing on our victory cake," said Parmis, who is also the assistant coach of reigning CESAFI champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers.

Before invading Ipil, the Raco/Hofer squad backstopped by Zamboanga Sibugay Vice Governor Rey Andre C. Olegario and Congresswoman Ann Kintanar Hofer clinched the championship of the Kabalasan Mayor's Cup Invitational.

Ferdinand Lusdoc topscored for Raco/Hofer with 25 points followed by Alfred Gerilla and Ardy Larong with 17 and 15 markers, respectively.

Marlon Basco paced Montaña Pawnshop with 16 points, while Ronald Lamocha scored 14 in a losing cause.

For their efforts, Raco/Hofer took home a P150,000 paycheck.

Reinforced by foreign players Joe Etame and Basier Sacor, the rest of the Raco/Hofer roster are Al Vergara, Reed Friar Juntilla, Loemar Losentes, Dino Daa, Dennis Daa, and Jovanie Aguilar.— EBV (FREEMAN)