CEBU, Philippines - Adgers Sportswear edged out Team CVIRAA, 48-45, to grab the second seed spot going into the semifinals of the 19-Under division of the ThreeSixty Pharmacy Cup 2012 over the weekend.
Adgers relied on a big third quarter rally to take command of the game and hold on to the lead in the fourth period.
Down 24-28 at the half, Adgers limited CVIRAA to a solitary point in the third quarter while scoring 13 to gain a 37-29 headway going into the final period.
CVIRAA rallied back in the fourth quarter but Adgers squeezed out just enough to hold them off for the three-point victory.
Alex Nazareno led Adgers with 15 points while Allan Dimco chipped in 11. Julius Cadavis led CVIRAA with 11.
A day later, CVIRAA bounced back from its loss to Adgers with a 75-69 beating the University of the Visayas to claim the third seed.
The game was close throughout, with CVIRAA pulling away only in the last minute of the game. Down 52-53 at the start of the fourth quarter, CVIRAA stormed to a 62-55 lead, thanks to a triple each by Patrick Go and Aaron Sing.
UV wrested the driver's seat, 67-63, with 3:17 left in the game. From that point on, it was an exchange of free throws for both sides with UV grabbing a 69-67 edge with 1:14 left.
Hynric Ochea tied the game at 69-all with two more freebies then added a basket while being fouled for a 71-69 lead, 48 seconds left.
CVIRAA controlled the offensive rebound off the missed free throw, patiently set up a play with Henry Asilum finding Cadavis with a nifty blind pass underneath for a short stab and a 73-69 lead, 30 seconds left.
UV had the chance to close the gap but Vincent Mendoza missed four straight free throws on two separate opportunities at the stripe.
Cadavis and Go had 15 and 13 points, respectively, for the CVIRAA side. Francis Arong led UV with 19 as Mendoza and Eugene Nunez added 15 each.
USC/RDAK topped the six-team cast with a 4-0 record, followed by Adgers (4-1), CVIRAA (3-2), UV (2-2), Symmetry Fitness Center/USJ-R (1-4) and Forum (0-5). The last game between USC/RDAK and UV was considered moot and academic as it didn’t have any bearing in the standings.
USC/RDAK faces UV in the semifinals while Adgers goes up against CVIRAA. USC/RDAK and Adgers have a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round. (PR)
The ThreeSixty Pharmacy Cup 2012 is the flagship tournament of the Cebu Youth Basketball League (CYBL), which is now on its fifth season. With the addition of the 19-under division, the league has grown to 42 teams in four age groups. (PR)(FREEMAN)