CEBU, Philippines - Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu 1 (SHS-AdC) and the University of San Carlos (USC) North Campus carved out close wins at the start of the Coca-Cola Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Youngstars Basketball Tournament at the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Mango Avenue Campus Gym.
SHS-AdC tripped USC South, 52-49, while USC North overcame Thumbs Up, 49-45, in close games.
Cebu Eastern College (CEC), on the other hand, stunned the University of the Visayas (UV) 62-54.
The SHS-Ateneo-USC South game was close from start to finish with neither side enjoying a comfortable lead.
SHS-Ateneo had on top at halftime, 23-22, but USC South took back the lead, 38-34, after three periods. The game was decided with less than a minute left in the game with USC South ahead, 49-48.
Jair Igna made two free throws for a 50-49 lead, then after a USC South turnover, Popoy Navarro iced the game with two more free throws with six seconds remaining for the final count.
Igna led the Magis Eagles with 18 points while Gerard Mendoza added 14. Paul Galinato led USC South with 15.
In another close game, USC North used a big third quarter to overcome a gritty Thumbs Up side.
Down 11-18 and 24-28 after two quarters, the Baby Warriors leaned on Clint Suelto’s 10 third quarter points and limited Thumbs Up to only four points to take a 40-32 edge going into the fourth quarter.
Thumbs Up rallied in the fourth but the USC defense came through with the timely stops for the win. Dolan Adlawan led USC North with 17 points while Suelto had 15. Charles Singson led Thumbs Up with 15.
Meanwhile, CEC leaned on the double digit scoring of four players and a big third quarter to stun UV.
Behind 23-25 at halftime, CEC surged to a 42-36 lead after three periods behind the balanced attack Shann Tan, Mark Berdera, Cris Dominic Yap and Alfonso Alvizo.
The Dragons maintained the momentum, enjoying leads of as many as 10 points while shutting down the Baby Lancers in the endgame.
Alvizo and Michael Balankig led CEC with 12 points apiece. Berdera and Yap had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
University of Southern Philippines (USPF) also joined the opening day winners with a 46-40 win over SHS-Ateneo 2. (PR) (THE FREEMAN)