PLDT, PITC collide in Troops Hoops finals

MANILA, Philippines – PLDT and PITC will battle for the inaugural championship of Troops Hoops this Wednesday, December 13, at the Philippine Army Wellness Gym inside Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

Troops Hoops is a basketball league organized by former Adamson University and Flying V Thunder player Jan Colina for the benefit of the families of Philippine military personnel.

In the semifinals, PLDT — behind former University of the Philippines and Smart Gilas center Magi Sison and Gelo Montecastro — edged the Philippine Army side, 75-73, that featured former GlobalPort player Jopher Custodio, former San Beda Red Lion Mar Villahermosa and former Letran Knight Boyet Bautista. Their finals opponent is the Teytey Teodoro and Sydney Onwubere-led PITC (Philippine International Trading Corporation), which crushed Cocolife, 115-105, in the other semis pairing to arrange the championship duel.

While PITC is formidable for the inclusion of Teodoro and Onwubere, it is PITC Undersecretary Dave Almarinez — who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to the position in February this year — who did the damage versus Cocolife. Almarinez scored 42 points and dished out five assists in the win.

Teodoro currently plays for Jose Rizal University in the NCAA while Onwubere recently graduated from Emilio Aguinaldo College and now suits up for Talk ‘N Text in the PBA.

It was a sorry loss for Cocolife, which paced the six-team Troops Hoops standings with a 4-1 slate. PLDT entering the championship round sports a 3-2 slate; the same as Philippine Army and PITC.

“Troops Hoops is to provide a league and a venue for enlisted me as well as other athletes with a portion of the proceeds going to the Hero Foundation,” said Colina, who last suited up professionally for the Flying V Thunder in the recently concluded D-League Foundation Cup where the squad lost in the semifinals.

The Hero Foundation was established in 1988 to provide educational support for the children of Philippine military men who gave their lives in the service of our nation.

“The league is also a good venue to provide awareness for the foundation that is in need of support,” added Colina.

Troops Hoops is sponsored by Freego Jeans, KJA Grill, the Amazing Playground and the Artland Printer.