Hopwood 1 routs Chacha in finale

Hopwood Junior High School 1 waltzed its way past Chacha Oceanview Junior High School, 41-26, in the championship game in the boys division of the 2015 PSS Basketball League last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Hopwood Junior High School 1’s Jude Tengco looks at the basket, while two Chacha Oceanview Junior High School defenders stay close to him during the first half of their title game in the PSS caging last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Hopwood 1 recovered from a sluggish start and leaned on Jude Tengco’s explosion late in the first half to establish a good lead en route to a 15-winning margin against Chacha.

Tengco drilled a game-high 18 points, igniting the fire in Hopwood 1’s cold offense as he scored 7 straight points after his team went without a field goal for nearly the first eight minutes of the match. Tengco, who knocked in Hopwood 1’s first field goal with his triple, added 4 more points off fastbreak layups in the closing seconds of the first half for their 19-5 advantage at the break.

Hopwood 1 managed to pull away past the halfway mark of the first half as it held Chacha scoreless in the final six minutes and change of the opening 20 minutes of play. Chacha was also limited to two field goals, courtesy of Khalid Islam’s point-blanked shots, in the entire first half, while the other point came from Chris Sacdalan’s split at the foul line.

Islam nailed his first basket after Hopwood 1’s Angelo Factor canned a pair of free throws. The 2-all score was the first and only time the title match was tied, as Tengco took over after finding his rhythm. Before scoring baskets in streaks, Tengco missed his first three attempts and went 0-for-4 from the stripe.

The Hopwood 1 key player also started out for his team in the second half and made the first basket in that period before the rest of his teammates picked up where he left off to keep the squad’s lead.

Chacha played a better offense in the second half, but still failed to outgun Hopwood 1 to settle for the runner-up honors. Chacha advanced to the finals after nosing out Hopwood 2 in the semis last Thursday, 35-32, while Hopwood 1 barged into the title game following a 70-40 demolition of San Antonio Middle School.

Hopwood 1’s championship win gave the Hilitais a sweep in the league as earlier in the first game last Monday, Hopwood 1 topped Hopwood 2 in the girls finale, 44-21. Connie Camacho coached both champion teams.

Hopwood 1 41–Tengco 18, Factor 8, Ocaya 4, Jones 4, Quiroz 4, Pangelinan 2, Laxa 1.

Chacha 26–Islam 9, Sacdalan 6, Kaipat 6, Reyes 2, Santos 2, Quitano 1.

Scoring by halves: 19-5, 41-26.