Sarok Weavers plunge back into action, eye national title

The Consolacion Sarok Weavers celebrate their title win in the PSL 21-U Visayas Finals leg. | Contributed Photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Fresh from bagging the Visayas leg title, the Consolacion Sarok Weavers will get back into action as they compete in the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) 21-under “Battle of Champions” that starts  Friday, September 2, 2022, at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Sawang Calero. 

For the Sarok Weavers’ team owner, Mark Malazarte, they only had a one-day break to celebrate and recompose themselves after beating the Sherilin-Unisol Mandaue, 81-79, in Game 3 of their Best-of-Three Finals of the Visayas leg last Tuesday evening at the same venue. 

READ: Consolacion Sarok Weavers take home PSL 21-U Visayas crown

The win gave the Sarok Weavers back-to-back titles in the PSL after they also topped the Aspirant’s Division Cup in Zamboanga del Norte last April. 

Now, their eyes are set on the biggest prize, which is the national title. 

“Our job isn’t done yet. We now have a clearer picture of the biggest goal this season, the national championship,” said Malazarte.

Competing with them in the “Battle of Champions” are Mandaue, Davao Occidental Dreamers, the Bukidnon Cowboys, the Pampanga Delta, and the Pasig Cocolife Pirates.

According to Malazarte, the road to winning the PSL Visayas leg title was not easy, considering four of his best players that played in Zamboanga del Norte have already parted ways with the team.

These players are Rojan Montemayor, Gyle Patrick Montaño, Neon Chavez, and Preeven Flores. 

“Coming off a championship from last season and knowing we have to defend it without four of our guys from last season who played big minutes for the team. I guess that was the hardest challenge for us,” said Malazarte.

Consolacion’s first game will be against Davao Occidental on Friday evening. 

The “Battle of Champions” will have a single-round robin format, with the top two teams playing for the P200,000 purse. 

/bmjo