Young hoopers from Zarraga National High School in the Province of Iloilo beat Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) to secure their second runner-up trophy in the National Basketball 3x3 Women’s Division of the “Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Pambansang Tatluhan” tournament held in Quezon City in August 2024.

According to basketball players Jesabel Anacan, Kate Puertollano, Lea Pinuela, and Yana Payud, they saw as biggest challenges the towering heights and impresive skills of their competitors.

To emerge victorious, the players said they focused on their teamplay, synergy, determination, and carried out religiously the strategies their coaches, Jean Rose Loredo and Gerard Moneras, taught them.

Cebu took the championship plum while National Capital Region settled for first runner up. However, the team from Zarraga made sure they would take the second runner-up spot by beating Northern Mindanao, 13-12.

"Siyempre, may fear kami, but because of determination sa mga bata, hard work, teamwork, we survived," Coach Loredo said.

As for Coach Moneras, he pointed out that at first they had no idea on the system of a basketball 3x3 competition. However, upon research, they found out that "somehow it has a different system" and so they worked on honing the knowledge and skills of the young hoopers. 

"We worked on the speed, the power, dito kami nag-focus," Moneras said. 

While they displayed outstanding skills and competitive demeanor to bring pride to Western Visayas, Lea has received an invitation to join the varsity team of a university in Metro Manila.

Zarraga National High School has demonstrated have full support to the athletes that bring joy and pride not only to the school but to the entire Municipality of Zarraga, the province, and the region. "We develop wholesome individuals, both in the academics and in sports," Gemma Peñaranda, the school principal, said.