By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
It doesn’t get any better than this.
After almost two weeks of elimination including the playoff round, the 2024 ILOPRISAA men’s tertiary basketball championship round is finally set and will kick off today at 4:30 PM, to be held in the University of San Agustin gym in Iloilo City.
Who’d you got? The powerhouse Central Philippine University (CPU) Golden Lions or the retooled University of San Agustin Golden Eagles?
Two days ago, the Golden Lions prevailed over the Western Institute of Technology (WIT), 76-57, to resume their hopes of a second straight ILOPRISAA men’s tertiary crown.
Eager to bounce back after suffering its only loss in the preliminaries against WIT, CPU was locked in the semifinals and scored a wire-to-wire win to secure another grand finals ticket.
Despite a courageous comeback from WIT after finding their three-point rhythm midway through the second quarter, the veteran-laden CPU team was unfazed and played their hearts out in the second half to prevent the challengers from a come-from-behind win.
The Golden Lions received a massive game from their main gunner Wilmer Dalumpines who went crazy from the field, showcasing his deep offensive bag after entering beast mode during the pivotal second half.
Unfortunately for WIT, their three-point shooting fell in the second half which CPU capitalized as they scored on every defensive stop they made.
With the talented core of Kevin Barranco, Jesse Sullano, Victor Demadara, Kevin Juaneza, Jean Beliran, and Dalumpines, the Golden Lions will seek to retain their label as “Kings” of Iloilo collegiate basketball.
However, the job will not be a walk in the park as standing their way are the revamped University of San Agustin Golden Eagles.
After a series of championship trip droughts on the ILOPRISAA stage, the Golden Eagles will look to reclaim their lost glory and re-assert themselves back on the pedestal of the tertiary hoops scene.
San Agustin was able to make their comeback trip to the ILOPRISAA grand finals after out-maneuvering the Iloilo Doctor’s College during the semifinal round, 83-74, to setup a highly-anticipated clash against CPU.
With their signature defensive schemes and crisp ball movement, the Golden Eagles stomped on IDC early in the game to build a huge lead and book the first ticket to the finals.
San Agustin wrapped up their elimination round as the top seeds of the tournament and lived up as the league’s no. 1 team after clinching a spot in the championship round.
With a different mentality instilled in them after ending their grand finals drought, can San Agustin break CPU’s momentum and dethrone them as this year’s ILOPRISAA hoops champion?
Let’s find out! See you at the Univ. of San Agustin gym this afternoon and let’s watch our young Ilonggo ballers showcase their talents!
