THE small guys made the big plays for Valientes as it stunned Alza, 70-64, to arrange a title match with powerhouse KSB in the Araw ng Sibugay basketball tournament at the Ipil Coliseum in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Denver Noah Cadiz, a 5-foot-5 pesky guard dubbed Raton de Coco (Coconut Rat) and 5-foot-7 Jeff “The Wonderboy” Bernardo starred for the undersized pride of Zamboanga City.
Tougher obstacle
Valientes will have an even higher obstacle in KSB-Iligan, which is composed mostly of Cebuano stars.
Earlier, Valientes subdued Pagadian, 89-83, in another tight game.
The 19-year-old Cadiz and Bernardo, 24, will need help from import Prince Eze, veteran Gino Jumao-as, season MVP Reagan Santos, hefty Jerrom Ferren, toughie Janner Hassan and steady John Waminal if the Valientes hopes to shock KSB.
Valientes, carrying the team name ZVals-MACFI, placed fourth in another Panalay event in Buug last week sans Cadiz, who will play in the Pilipinas Vismin Cup starting on March 9 in Zamboanga City.
The 6-foot-8 Eze, the 2018 NCAA MVP from Perpetual Help, will patrol the shaded lane for Valientes, which is also being backed by Go for Gold, Globalport, MLV Group and MACFI.
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