BIT cruises past USC in VAAA stunner

The Bohol Institute of Technology-International College (BIT-IC) Cruisers kicked off their title campaign with a big surprise, gunning down the heavyweight University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 86-83, in the resumption of the 2nd Visayas Amateur Athletic Association (VAAA) men’s basketball tournament last Saturday at the Calape Sports Center in Calape, Bohol.

The BIT-IC Cruisers trailed by five points at halftime, 38-43, but egged on by the cheers of the pro-Boholano crowd, the hosts staged a tide-turning 24-12 rally in the third period to grab the lead for good at the end of the third period, 62-55.

The visiting USC Warriors, who played sans their deadly one-two punch of Enrico Llanto and Niño Ramirez, threatened to pull away several times in the closing minutes of the contest, but the BIT-IC Cruisers held on their ground until the final buzzer.

As of this writing yesterday, the BIT-IC Cruisers are seeking for their second straight victory in as many games as they slugged it out with the undefeated Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras.

The SWU Cobras currently paced the Bracket A leader board with a clean 3-0 slate followed by the USC Warriors with an even 2-2 win-loss record.

In Bracket B, seven-time Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers are on top of the totem pole with an immaculate 2-0 card.

Foundation University (FU) Greyhounds and Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT) Lightnings, both of Dumaguete, and Western Leyte College (WLC) Mustangs of Ormoc, stayed winless in this nine-team field competition bankrolled by M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala.

The scores

BIT (86) - Lusdoc 31, Lumasag 15, Guillena 10, Damayo 10, Crusado 9, Timtim 9, Martinez 2

USC (83) - Igao 15, Codilla 15, Padillo 12, Cortes 10, Hermosa 9, Gallarde 8, Blanes 4, Baker 3, Joven 3, Bautista 3, Bercede 2

Quarterscores:24-22, 38-43, 62-55, 86-83   — EBV