Reigning national champion USC reaffirmed its status in the Small Basketeers of the Philippines by trouncing Ateneo de Manila, 42-37, to book a finals ticket while DBC was not lucky in its second straight regional stint after it bowed to La Salle Bacolod, 62-56, in the Passarelle division.
USC-SC relied on its seasoned and veteran players spearheaded by Joseph Juariza in the offensive, who chalked up 10 points.
Rookie Chris Nwanaka was a big boost to USC as he provided the needed baskets, scoring eight points while Daryl Nazareno and Bradley Bacaltos chipped in six markers each as USC controlled the match most of the way.
"It was a good game. Ateneo gave us a good fight. They tried to come in close in the first quarter but the most lead they could afford was just four points," said coach Christopher 'Ope' Abellana.
"Medyo luya pa sila pagsugod, na-tense especially the first timers but they were able to recover," he added.
Abellana said they need to do a lot of adjustments especially in the defense, stamina and play when they will try to defend its national title on December 9 at a still undetermined venue.
The scores:
SBP
USC (42) - Juariza 10, Nwanaka 8, D. Nazareno 6, Bacaltos 6, Purisima 4, Secapuri 2, A. Nazareno 2, Ortega 2, Isidro 2
Ateneo (37) - Piodena 6, Ong 6, Marasigan 4, Paclibar 4, Solijon 4, delos Santos 4, Alamo 2, dela Crua 2, Calopiz 2, Mallari 2, Lopez 1
Passarelle
La Salle (62) - dela Paz 17, Ravina 10, Dumandas 10, Andoni 4, Malinao 3, Melodion 3, Anglo 3, Reyes 2
DBC (56) - Bacalso 13, Paraon 11, Mellana 10, Parilla 4, Escano 2, Rodrigues 2, Diaz 2, Paracuelles 2, dela Torre 2, Lapitan 2