BPBL National finals: Cebu City-ANS bags historic girls crown

(Sambag 2-FBA settles for first runner-up in boys division)

CEBU, Philippines — Team Cebu City-Abellana National School (ANS) representing Central Visayas trounced Cagayan de Oro of Northern Mindanao, 43-36, in their sudden-death final match to make history as the first ever national champion in the girls division of Batang Pilipino Basketball League (BPBL) Under 18 Tournament over the weekend at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan, Metro Manila.

In a splendid display of hardcourt brilliance, Ma. Daniella Alterado scattered 10 points, eight rebounds, two assists and four steals for Cebu City-ANS of coach Darwin Dinoy, who pocketed a whopping P300,000 cash prize for their efforts.

“Salamat ni Lord gihatag ang championship sa amoa kay ang amoa bracket puro mga strong teams especially Davao, Region 10 an NCR,” said Dinoy.

Althea Therese Degamo, Maxim Magbanua, and Jessha Banquil connived for 17 markers for the ANS cagebelles, who launched a decisive endgame assault to crush their CDO rivals.

Ahead by just three at the end of the third period, 30-27, Cebu City-ANS opened the final quarter with a sizzling 10-1 blitz to put the game away, 40-28. They held on their ground to walk away with a rousing seven-point triumph.

“I would like to congratulate the players, coaching staff, support staff, parents, and sponsors for supporting the team in this 1st BPBL National Finals as the maiden champion in the girls division. Thanks also to the organizers for having this kind of tournament in the grassroots,” said ANS team consultant Francis Ramirez.

Cebu’s representatives nearly scored a clean sweep as Sambag 2-FBA of coach Leode Garcia settled for first runner-up honors in the boys category. They lost to Davao, 52-61, in the championship. 

Meanwhile, BPBL Region 7 coordinator Van Halen Parmis expressed his profound gratitude to the league organizers for coming up with this worthwhile program for the young aspiring ballers all over the country.

“As a regional coordinator, I am very grateful to the organizers of BPBL headed by coach Ron Camara. Big thanks also to all the participating teams that challenged and tested the quality of the Cebuano grassroots. The impressive podium finish of Abellana National School being the girls national champions and Brgy. Sambag 2 FBA as first runner-up in the boys division is the result of long time of dedication, passion and hardwork of the coaches, players and parents,” Parmis said.

“Back in the day, this dream of reaching and showcasing the Cebuano talents was planted to me by my mentor sir Rico Navarro, that’s why we don’t get tired of finding avenues for our grassroots to flourish. To everyone who supported us from Day 1 until the National Finals, daghang salamat. Ato ni Cebu!,” Parmis ended. — EBV