Besting six competing groups, Hua Siong College of Iloilo (HSCI) has again proven itself as the powerhouse in the game of hoops as it booked the over-all championship title in the first Chairman’s Cup Philippines Tournament last September 17, 2023 at the Ty Eng Liong Gymnasium, HSCI Ledesco Campus.

The Red Phoenixes soared past the University of San Agustin (USA) with a thrilling 90-76 victory adding to their golden accolades from the hard court. But, it was not an easy feat for the host squad as the USA hoopers stayed at close range from the first to the third quarter of the match.

With their strong defense and commendable offensive plays, USA managed to close distance in the first quarter, but HSCI’s Chris John Cabrales held a buzzer-beating three-pointer, securing an early 10-point lead. Working their way through, USA caught up with HSCI to even things at 46-46 during halftime. But the Red Phoenixes, with their known fearlessness in paint scoring, closed the 3rd quarter with a score of 70-60.

HSCI’s guard Jid Locsin’s excellent drives to the basket, along with his teammates aggressive defense and precise shooting from beyond the arc, the Red Phoenixes managed to pull away and cemented the game against University of San Agustin with a 14-point lead to close out the match.

Locsin, who was awarded as the Finals’ Most Valuable Player and

one of the tournament’s Mythical 5, shared that it was an exhilarating and unforgettable experience for him. Their intense matches, late-night practices, and grueling physical exertion tested their limits. However, “our unwavering determination and perseverance paid off, as we emerged victorious,” he said.

“The journey to winning the Chairman’s Cup Philippines was filled with challenges and adversities that tested our resilience and determination. One of the most rewarding aspects of winning the tournament was the sense of accomplishment it brought. Throughout the tournament, we faced tough competition from highly-skilled teams,” Locsin added.

Other competing teams from different schools in Region VI namely University of St. La Salle Bacolod, St. Robert’s International College, Bacolod Tay Tung High School, and the contenders from the Province of Palawan showed outstanding sportsmanship and teamwork in the three-day Chairman’s Cup Tournament, the first of its kind for the entire Philippines.