The Paref-Springdale Titans celebrate after winning the Division 2 title in the NBTC Visayas Regionals at the Ormoc Superdome. (CONTRIBUTED)
THE PAREF-SPRINGDALE Titans captured the championship in the SM National Basketball Training Center Division 2 Visayas Regionals after they beat the homecourt-toting Linao National High School, 55-53, last weekend at the Ormoc Superdome.
The Titans showed tremendous grit and composure and stood their ground amidst injuries and foul trouble to hack out the victory and head over to national finals, which will be held in Manila on March 13 to 17.
Jett Sy led the Titans of head coach Jabby Bautista with 23 points while Sean Quitevis, who delivered a clutch and-one play down the stretch to give them the lead for good, added 12. Team skipper Jay Sainz and prolific guard Joshua Balankig, who suffered an ankle injury in the third, combined for 14.
A more daunting challenge awaits with bigger, better and stronger teams slated to face off against the Titans in the nationals.
“We still have at least three weeks to prepare against the bigger and better teams up north. So we’ll just make out of the practices,” Bautista said.