Taytay smothers Cebu to top Coke Youngstars

MANILA, Philippines - Taytay clobbered Cebu, 83-66, to rule the PBA Coca-Cola Youngstars National Finals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum last Friday.

The Taytay cagers, represented by San Beda, used one big run in the first quarter and went on to get back at the University of Visayas side, which beat them, 86-81, in their first meeting. 

“We reminded our players to stay focused to the end to avoid repeating our mistakes in our first meeting with Cebu,” said Taytay coach Troy Umaly, whose wards included John Ryan Gumtang, Franz Abuda, Norrish Decapia and Mark Joper Diputado.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud paid tribute to both finalists.

“I wish to congratulate the team of Taytay for winning the first ever national championship of the Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars summer basketball league for 13-16 year-olds and to Cebu,” said Salud.

On the way to the finals, Taytay routed Caloocan Selection, 108-75; Mindanao’s Holy Child School of Davao, 106-70; Southern Luzon’s District I-Laguna, 103-64; and Holy Angel University-Pampanga, 82-63.