By MARK REY MONTEJO
LEGAZPI CITY — AJ Sacayan caught fire from the distance and powered University of Visayas (Region VII) over host University of Bicol, 97-71, to reclaim the men’s 5×5 basketball crown on the final day of the 2024 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games here at Ibalong Centrum for Recreation Friday, July 26.
The 21-year-old Sacayan, who finished with 21 points, led the scoring rally after dropping five triples in the second half en route to a 24-9 surge which eventually left the hometown players in the dust and avenged their semis exit in the last edition in Zamboanga City.
It was a low-scoring affair for both teams in the first half, but UV found its rhythm to outlast the Bicolanos with its suffocating defense and impeccable shooting display which the latter team couldn’t answer.
Aside from their sweet championship win, Sacayan was named the Most Valuable Player and Best Small Forward of the men’s division.
“Sobrang sarap po sa feeling na nakabawi po kami ngayon sa PRISAA, para po ito sa mga kababayan namin and hopefully, next year, maulit po namin ito,” said Sacayan.
It complemented the title win of Western Visayas in the men’s and women’s beach volleyball earlier. On the other hand, SOCCSKSARGEN topped the boys’ and girls’ categories.
In women’s volleyball, Region VI reigned supreme via a 25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 25-14 win against Region XII at Divine Word College – High School campus while Region XII toppled NIR, 17-15, 15-10, to rule the men’s side. Bicol Region snared the bronze.
Cordillera Administrative Region stamped its class and almost swept the golden honors in archery as it topped the seven categories which was held at Old Albat Airport.
CALABARZON tanker Peter Cyrus Dean remained as the most bemedalled athlete with seven golds, sweeping all his events while also surpassing his 5-gold and 2-silver medal haul in Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City.
As of 3 p.m. this Friday, Central Visayas (Region VII) remains on top of the senior category with 119 golds, 73 silvers and 65 bronzes followed by Western Visayas (79-38-55), Cordillera Administrative Region (54-46-54), and CALABARZON (38-38-50).
In youth division, the host Bicol (Region V) maintained its lead as it tallied 200 medals off 84 gold, 63 silver and 53 bronze medals while CALABARZON (73-41-35) and Western Visayas (54-68-59) are at second and third place.
