Fil-Chi cagefest finals to feature deep rosters

MANILA, Philippines -- While former PBA stars James Yap and Chris Tiu will be at the center of the spotlight, other players are expected to be the X-factors in the Fil-Chi Athletic Association Inc. 40-and-above finals. 

The Yap and Ken Bono-led Hua Siong College-Iloilo will take on Tiu and Joseph Yeo-spearheaded Xavier School in the best-of-three finals series set to tip off on Friday. 

Hua Siong head coach Denok Miranda, during the finals press conference Wednesday, said that while Yap will be at the forefront of their team’s attack, their depth is definitely what sets them apart against Xavier. 

“Sa amin naman is magalaro lang kami nang todo. Yung camaraderie, andoon na, lalo na yung mga galing sa province na unknown players,” Miranda told reporters. 

“Lalaro lang sila, mag-enjoy sila sa paglalaro. Sa preparation, mas nag-prepare kami this season… so, ano lang sa amin, mag-enjoy lang mga players,” he added. 

Aside from Yap and Bono, among those expected to show out for the defending champions Hua Siong are Jaypee Belencion and Rhagnee Sinco. 

Xavier head coach Howie Chang, for his part, said that he has been challenging the other players of his team to step up. 

“Sure, yung contribution nila Joseph and Chris will be there. But we challenge our guys na they need to step up for a chance to win. Kailangan yung other guys mag-contribute talaga,” Chang said. 

“I think the depth, sa Hua Siong talaga. But one thing is motivation from our loss last year, hopefully, we’ll use that as energy to play better, play harder,” he added. 

“I think defensively also, we’ve watched them play and scouted them also. So, hopefully our defensive schemes will work against them.” 

The squad is also banking on their “sixth man” – the crowd – to show up in the finals. 

Game 1 of the finals will be on Friday, 7 p.m., at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.