Duterte, Moral stamp class in Sinag Ligas Asya hoopfest

Sports

DAIRICK Duterte and Chog Moral are as good as advertised.

The potent duo has been superb in the ongoing Sinag Liga Asya (SLA) Junior World Showcase, showing why they are among the country’s most promising hardcourt talents after powering J Project Boomers to a perfect 4-0 start after three days of competition in the Under-19 Division.

The power-playing Duterte, a Palarong Pambansa gold medalist, piled up 22 points, four rebounds, and one assist in leading the Boomers to a a 85-63 routing of Ympact Ballers last Friday, July 3, at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City.

The 22-point rout was J Project’s third win. Johari Domingo and Ren Andreu Llescas added 15 and 11 points, respectively, in the win.

Moral, a Gilas Youth standout, then took over in the Boomers’ fourth straight win, tallying 12 points, four steals, three assists, and three rebounds in a 70-38 dumping of Tumakbo South California-USA at the Magnum Sports Complex in Barangay Apas, Cebu City.

By racking four straight wins, the Boomers qualified to the quarterfinal round, which was still being played as of this writing.

In the 23-Under competition Alpha 7 Family is also on a searing run.

Alpha 7 improved to 3-0 after edging New York Ascend, 55-52, at the University of San Carlos Main Campus Gymnasium.

Jhournel Tangkay fired 16 points, including a three-pointer that gave Alpha 7 the lead for good, 53-52, with 16 seconds left.

Tangkay also had six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He was backed by James Tawacal and Aljen Kaw, who tossed in 13 and 11 points, respectively.(CCM)