Six teams compete in Coke youth caging

MANILA, Philippines - The PBA Coca-Cola Youngstars national finals will be held Sunday with six teams – two from the National Capital Region and four from the provinces – clashing for the crown.

Taytay and Caloocan topped the NCR elims to join Pampanga, Laguna, Cebu and Davao, which swept their respective regional finals, in the championship round.

Holy Angel University of Pampanga, behind Anthony Jeffrey Coronel and Mark Buan, dominated its rivals at the Divine Word Academy in Dagupan, overwhelming Isabela, 115-49, and crushing host Pangasinan, 98-60, to represent Northern Luzon in the finals.

Host Laguna, with District I, banked on Marcus Jerome Ejercito’s 31-point explosion to edge Batangas, 81-77, then repulsed Cavite, 88-85, to top the Southern Luzon elims at the Laguna Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz.

In the Visayas regionals, University of Cebu prevailed by toppling Iloilo, 69-66, and host Bacolod, 65-56, at the West Negros University gym.

At the Corpus Christi gym in Cagayan de Oro, Holy Child School of Davao thrashed General Santos, 108-87, and turned back CdO, 95-90, to clinch the Mindanao berth in the national finals.

The six teams will play in a single round robin from May 27 to June 1 with the top two teams disputing the inaugural crown. 

Meanwhile, in the Metro Manila leg, Marikina downed Rizal, 54-49, in the 9 to 12 years old division final, while Taytay routed Caloocan, 87-70, in the 13 to 16 championship.