QC cagers bag Coke Hoopla plum

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City completed its domination in the second Coca-Cola Hoopla by beating Taguig, 104-72, to complete its sweep of the best-of-three finals at the jampacked Brgy. Libis covered court in QC.

The hosts kept the momentum of their 91-84 victory in the series’ opener at the Hagonoy gym in Taguig as they built leads of 15 points (50-35) after the first half and sat on a 70-52 cushion entering the final quarter.

Completing its mastery of Taguig, Quezon City fulfilled a vow made to QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte to win it all this year.

After falling short last year, there was no denying Quezon City this time as they stamped its class in the developmental league for non-varsity players 18 years old and under.

Quezon City won P250,000 while Taguig settled for P125,000. Caloocan, which took third place, got P75,000, and Antipolo received P50,000 during awards rites graced by JB Baylon, Coca-Cola vice president for communication and public affairs, and tournament commissioner and Asian Games bronze medal coach Joe Lipa, Jojo Villa, Eric Castro, Ramil Cruz and Duane Salvatera.

Quezon City main man Christopher Villarosa romped away with the MVP trophy, later on joining Leon Lazaro, Joshua Morris Mayor of Taguig, Arjay Napenas of Caloocan, and Bernard Repato of Mandaluyong in the Mythical Five team.

Jayvee Mocon of Antipolo and Dave Tolentino of Pasig shared honors as Coke Hoopla Rising Stars.

Inspired by its clean slate from the elimination, Quezon City virtually toyed with Taguig in Game Two to reassert its superiority in the presence of District III Rep. Bolek Banal.

Taguig, which ousted Muntinlupa to represent the south sector, and then eliminated Antipolo for the right to challenge Quezon City, failed to neutralize the east division champion’s near flawless, imposing game.