SHSJ, ADI rule BEST Visayas finals

MANILA, Philippines - Sacred Heart School-Jesuit (SHSJ) and Ateneo de Iloilo (ADI) turned the Visayas Regional Finals of the Milo-sponsored BEST SBP/Passerelle Twin Tournaments into their own private party when they won the championships in both divisions.

Defending Visayas Passerelle champion SHSJ claimed back-to-back titles after outlasting a stubborn Iloilo Commercial Central High School (ICCHS), 84-75.

Then, Ateneo de Iloilo squeezed past University of San Carlos South Campus (USC) of Cebu , 42-40, for the SBP crown.

The SHSJ Eagles controlled the game from the start and overcame an end-game rally by ICCHS, which cut the lead down to four, 62-66, four minutes into the final period. SHSJ retaliated with an 8-0 run for a 77-64 lead with 3:13 left and cruised to the win.

Kris Porter led SHSJ with 22 points. In the SBP championship game that went down the wire, Miguel Sasuman drilled in a jumper to give ADI a 41-40 lead with 14 seconds left in the game after Juneou Antigua had earlier given USC South a 40-39 lead, 38 seconds left.

Marion Denila added a free throw with 11 seconds left for the final score.   SHSJ now joins Passerelle regional champions Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro, La Salle Greenhills and the Luzon regional champion in the national finals of the tournament. The SBP division features Manila champion Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Davao and Ateneo de Iloilo. The Luzon regional finals will be played November 6-7 in Pampanga.