Santiago-SMC wins seniors crown in San Francisco, Camotes caging

CEBU, Philippines - The formidable SWU Cobras tandem of Eric Zanoria and Eliud Poligrates powered the Santiago-SMC to a convincing 94-80 victory over Team UE to snatch the seniors crown of the annual San Francisco, Camotes basketball tournament at the San Francisco municipal hardcourt.

Zanoria finished with 27 points, while Poligrates, the prized Camotes hardcourt star from Poro, banged on 16 points.

Commercial veteran Milfred Sampelo paced UE with 28 marker.

 In the juniors division, the Wyss Esperanza troopers of coach Gary Muaña proved too much to handle for the Queen Gem Pharmacy of team owner Jose Rizaly Nagsuban, 105-85, to romp off with the coveted championship trophy.

Valentino Guevarra topscored for Team Wyss with a game-high 32 points.

The results of the twin title matches were relayed to The Freeman via e-mail by Bruce Cunningham, an American national from Fort Wayne, Indiana who is temporarily residing in San Francisco with his Filipina wife Dixie.

Aside from backing up the SanFran tournament, Cunningham also plans to form a high school league in the islands to be known as the Camotes High School Basketball League.

The scores

Juniors division

Wyss Esperanza (105) - Guevarra 32, Maurillo 29, Maurillo 20, Almacin 10, Andrade 7, Gonzaga 5, Gonzaga 2

Queen Gem Pharmacy (85) - Lucernas 22, Pulvera 19, Muaña 18, Delfin 13, Herda 2, Arquillano 2, Zurita 2, Nagsuban 2

Seniors division

SMC (94) - Zanoria 27, Barebe 26, Poligrates 16, Donaire 10, Lumantas 10, Donaire 2, Salazar 2

 UE (80) - Sampelo 28, Luga 17, Valeroso 13, Caputolan 12, Laurel 8, Muaña 2. - GGM (THE FREEMAN)