SHS-Ateneo stuns USC for Passerelle title

CEBU, Philippines – In a stunning twist of events, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu upended the University of San Carlos, 81-74, to bag the Passerelle division championship of the 2015 BEST SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo at the Cebu City Sports Institute yesterday. Going into the game with nothing to lose against the title favorites, the Magis Eagles picked the best time to step up and play its best game of the tournament, catching the Baby Warriors offguard.

USC led after one quarter at 22-20 before the Magis Eagles surprisingly seized control of the game and catch USC flatfooted. The new champions took a 37-32 halftime lead behind the trio of Andre Chua, Michael Jordan and rookie Chico Chan.

SHS-Ateneo took a 58-51 lead after three quarters with Coco Tuadles leading the third period set of players. USC finally recovered and staged a fourth quarter rally, getting the full-house spectators on their feet and cheering for broke. USC rallied to take a 67-66 lead with 4:30 left in the game. But the Magis Eagles didn’t crumble and replied with a 9-0 run behind Michael Jay Cutamora, Tuadles and John Aguilar. Cutamora capped the run with a three-point play for a 75-67 lead with two minutes left.

Jholo Pakanna and Daniel Rodriguez cut the lead to 75-52 with 1:27 ticks left. Aguilar then made a free throw and a bucket for a 78-72 lead with 35.4 seconds remaining. Tuadles made it 80-72 from the stripe to ice the game after being fouled with 24 seconds left.

The Magis Eagles surprised the Baby Warriors with adjustments on both sides of the court. Cutamora challenged the defense of Briedyn Smith making left-handed baby hook shots on the way to 16 points. Hans Mesina was made a defensive specialist who hounded USC point guard Neon Chavez all game long. Mark Dumandan converted from being a scorer to a steady playmaker who patiently organized the halfcourt offense when USC threatened.

The team defense sent different signals to USC through a mix of full-court presses and a tight man-to-man defense. Tuadles led the Magis Eagles with 17 points while Cutamora added 16. Pakanna and Rodriguez led USC with 15 points each.

In the game for third place which went down the wire, the University of the Visayas stopped Cebu Eastern College, 60-56. SHS-Ateneo will represent Cebu at the Visayas Regional Finals which will be played in Bacolod in November 7 to 8. Meanwhile, the games of the SBP division kick off on Saturday.

Box Scores:

SHS-Ateneo (81) - Tualdes 17, Cutamora 16, Chua 6, Chan 6, Aguilar 6, Jordan 5, Canoy 4, Jabalon 4, Espina 4, Mesina 3, Largo 3, Casinillo 3, Dy 2, Dumandan 2

USC (74) - Pakanna 15, Rodriguez 15, Chavez 10, Smith 9, Tagalog 9, Mendoza 5, Razo 4, Berdin 3, Balaga 2, Barola 1, Dadang 1, Felicitas 1. (FREEMAN)