After a month long tournament, Bacolod Tay Tung High School (BTTHS) Thunderbolts captured the overall title of the just-concluded Chooks-to-Go SM National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) Western Visayas Regional Finals in Ibajay town.
The Negrense squad made a crippling run in the second half to eliminate St. Robert’s International Academy (SRIA) Panda Rockets, 89-77, in a scintillating finals clash.
The Thunderbolts opened the game with a sluggish performance but came back in the middle with a two-point deficit, 42-44. It was a sudden turn of events during the third canto as Thunderbolts grabbed the lead, 58-51. Trailing by seven points, SRIA answered the great rally of Tay Tung and cut the bleeding, 56-60.
Both teams capitalized on their big men and gunner, but the champions were paced by Heinz Gabriel Demisana to seal the victory for the Thunderbolts.
Other Thunderbolts were Fritz Valencia, Martin Beatingo, Kent Esparagoza, Josh Luciano, Nathan Jundana, John Mark Mercado, Jules Wong, Joseph Palaganas, Andy Villamer, Ralph Cagalawan, Dritter Ilalto, Lucky Charm Ramos, Benedick Gulmatico and Leindon Chong.
With the victory, Tay Tung is set to represent Western Visayas in the NBTC National Finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City later this month. IMT
