By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Acster Marketing/Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts (BTTHS) successfully defended their 17-and-under crown in the 4th Chairman’s Cup Negros basketball tournament held at the Willy and Nolita Au Court at BTTHS in Bacolod City.

The Thunderbolts overcame a halftime deficit and pulled away in the second half to defeat Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B), 61-40, securing the division crown.

The trio of Alfred Ysulan, Tobby Orbista and Paul Barcelona fueled a decisive 23-8 third-quarter rally to put the Thunderbolts ahead, 42-30, entering the final frame, en route to securing a lopsided win.

Tournament MVP and Joshbianc Player of the Game Tobby Orbista led the Thunderbolts with 16 points.

Barcelona added 14 markers, while Ysulan contributed 13 points.

CSA-B was led by Khian Gawan with 11 points, while Dave Parohinog and France Donio added six markers apiece.

Orbista and Barcelona were also named as part of the Mythical Five, along with France Donio and Raishem Neil Roxas of CSA-B, and Kyle Maja of St. Sebastian International School.

For ruling the qualifiers, the Thunderbolts will represent Negros in the upcoming Chairman’s Cup Philippines in Iloilo City from June 10 to 14.

Meanwhile, the Bobcats captured the 15-and-under championship with a 65-51 victory over SP Lineage/St. Joseph School-La Salle (SJS-LS), with Tournament MVP Vincent de la Cruz leading the way with 18 points.

The Bobcats led 31-24 at halftime behind the efforts of Ranel Mabalon, De La Cruz and PJ Rasmo before they pulled away for good in the second half as the lead reached 58-41 in the final quarter.

Named as part of the 15-U Division Mythical Five are De La Cruz, Rasmo, Jabez Honorario, and Sean Amahan of SJS-LS, and Seth Guarino of BTTHS.

The 4th Chairman’s Negros Basketball Tournament is held in cooperation with the United Negros Basketball League, Toyota Negros Occidental and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas./ASC, WDJ