Kandaya Resort players and coaching staff pose for a group photo after placing third in the HRRACI Sportsfest 2024 basketball tournament. | Contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Kandaya Resort wrapped up its Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRACI) Sportsfest 2024 basketball campaign with a fitting third-place finish.
This was after Kandaya Resort outlasted Jpark Island Resort in a lung-busting, 98-93, victory on Friday evening, July 5, at the Capitol Parish gymnasium along Escario Street, here.
Jed Lorenz Moralde put on a heroic double-double game to lead Kandaya to winning third place in the tournament.
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He scored 25 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. He paired them with five assists, two steals, and a block.
His teammate, Joshua Villa, also had a field day, dropping 25 points with four rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
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Renciel Rosaceña and Ronald Fernandez combined for 31 points with nine boards, and nine dimes to help Kandaya win the third place of the HRRACI Sportsfest.
Kandaya got off to a great start by building a nine-point cushion, 27-16, and at one point led as many as 18 points, 74-56, midway in the second half.
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However, JPark fought back, cutting the huge lead to just a five-point deficit in the final canto.
Still, Kandaya managed to outlast, escaping with the third-place honors.
James Llenes finished with a game-high 29 points with seven rebounds, four steals, and two assists in JPark’s losing efforts.
Brian Santillan had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Warren Cañete nearly had a triple-double with 15 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals for the losing squad.