By Nanette Guadalquiver/Philippine News Agency
BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod Ilahas Seniors and Christian Athletic Volunteers (CAV) Butanding Cebu captured the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, in the National Tchoukball Championships 2019 held at the STI-West Negros University Gym here.
Ilahas Seniors defeated Manila Crickets while CAV Butanding dominated Ikthus Sharks of Bacolod in the finals of the three-day competition, which ended with an awarding ceremony on Friday.
John Elray Jamelo, playing coach of the men’s champion squad, said Saturday their team faced a tough challenge en route to the finals after losing twice in the elimination round, and then winning in the semi-finals.
Jamelo, who is also the national team coach, said this year’s national championship has shown the huge improvement in the quality of tchoukball in the country.
He noted that in the past, Bacolod Ilahas Seniors, now six-time national champions, would win with a big score difference against their opponents.
“This time, the matches were very competitive and exciting. We have strong teams,” Jamelo added.
In the men’s division, Ikthus Sharks settled for second runner-up while Cebu CAV Butanding finished as third runner-up.
Bacolod Ilahas Señoritas placed second runner-up in the Women’s Division.
As national champions, Bacolod Ilahas Seniors and CAV Butanding Cebu earned the right to represent the Philippines in the World Tchoukball Championships 2019 to be held in Malaysia on August 8 to 10.
The National Tchoukball Championships was organized by the Tchoukball Association of the Philippines (TAP) headed by its president Raymund Jamelo and secretary-general Elvie Jamelo.
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