Iloilo trips Lucena, gains SBP jr finals

CEBU CITY , Philippines  – Iloilo Chinese Commercial High School (ICCHS) beat Sacred Heart Academy of Lucena, 72-64, to clinch the second finals berth in the under-17 division of the SBP National Junior Championships at the University of San Carlos gym here yesterday.

It was ICCHS’ fourth victory in five games as it arranged a title showdown with Luzon’s representative St. Clare Caloocan in the tournament organized by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

“The players are happy to be in the finals. I think we have a good chance against St. Clare even if we lost to them in the elims,” said ICCHS coach Vincent Conlu who played for four seasons with the FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP.

St. Clare outlasted ICCHS in overtime in the preliminary round, 83-80.

Marvin Gaitan finished with 16 points to lead the ICCHS, which finished third in the Nokia-NBTC under-17 National Championship behind champion Manila and runner-up Davao last year.

St. Clare and ICCHS dispute the crown at 2:30 p.m. today.

In the under-19 category, University of the Visayas foiled University of San Agustin (USA) Iloilo bid for the finals as it pulled off a come-from-behind 68-61 win.

Rhaffy Octobre led the Green Lancers with 16 points while Vince Zafe fired a game-high 27 points to pace USA Iloilo, which dropped to a battle for third place against Ateneo de Zamboanga.

UV finished its preliminary round with 3-1 mark to face the unbeaten Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) Phoenix in the finals.

The Phoenix, mentored by former San Beda College standout Ralph Rivera, advanced to the finals with a 71-59 victory over host school USC Warriors.

The Green Lancers and OLFU square off at 4 p.m. to be followed by the awarding rites.

SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza said the league will also cite players who compiled the most points, rebounds, assists and blocks in this weeklong tournament that aims to scout future talents for the national team.