Hoop Kids Season 1: PYFBA’s San Jose Blazers reach championship round

CEBU, Philippines — Teams from the Professional Youth Fellowship Basketball Advocacy (PYFBA) made a good account of themselves in the 16 Under category of Hoop Kids Season 1 played at the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) Gym.

This after the San Jose Blazers Community Ballclub and the Youth Uprising, both under the aegis of PYFBA big boss Deej Villanueva, advanced to the semifinals of the developmental tournament organized by Indie Basketball Cebu and CSAS of Ian Callet.

But only one of them remained standing as they were pitted against each other in the Final Four.

When the smoke cleared, the Blazers are the ones who moved forward.

The Blazers outclassed the Youth Uprising, 64-47, in an all-PYFBA semis to reach the championship round of the newly-formed league for young aspiring ballers.

John Jamer Llena sizzled with 20 points as the Blazers of team manager J Villanueva-Iway stepped a win away from clinching the coveted crown.

Founded by Deej’s late mother Alice Villanueva in 1979, the San Jose Blazers have been revived only this year. They readily made their presence felt by finishing third place in the Cebu Youth Basketball League (CYBL) last summer.

Now, the Blazers will try to blaze their way to title glory as they clash with the Disciples in the winner-take-all final set at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 1.