USC, UV advance into finals

ROXAS CITY, Philippines — The University of San Carlos (USC) and University of the Visayas (UV) overcame scary moments before sealing berths in the championship game of the national finals of the BEST Center SBP Passerelle Twin Basketball Tournament at the Capiz Gym.

In the SBP division, USC came from behind to oust Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), 52-47, and toppled Don Bosco Academy, 57-47 to sweep the classification phase with a 3-0 record.

Visayas Passerelle champion UV recovered from its opening game loss to La Salle Greenhills and crushed Holy Child School of Davao, 65-42. They then had to rally to overcome an upset-conscious Holy Angel University (HAU)  of Pampanga, 49-45, to end its classification phase with a 2-1 record.

USC blew hot and cold against ADDU, taking the first two periods at 14-7 and 21-14. ADDU, however, bounced back in the third period, taking a 36-31 lead going into the payoff quarter.

Jholo Pakanna and Neon Chavez then took over in the fourth quarter, combining for 14 points in a searing 17-4 run that included 13 unanswered points for a 48-40 lead with four minutes left in the game.

With Pakanna, Daniel Rodriguez and Carlo Jovellanos fouling out in succession, ADDU clawed back to 44-48 with 2:07 left but it was Clint Octaviano’s turn to make two straight clutch baskets for a 52-44 lead with 1:10 left.

USC will face La Salle Greenhills in the SBP championship game. In another SBP game, LSGH toppled ADDU, 77-50.

Needing a win to clinch a finals berth in the Passerelle division, UV needed a heavy dose of wake up calls and clutch three-point shooting to overcome the winless HAU team. U

V trailed HAU for most parts of the game until midway in the fourth period. The Baby Lancers were down 11-12, 19-24 and 33-37 after three quarters, not being able to display the poise and game that made them champions.

UV finally woke up in the fourth quarter, going on a 12-1 tear to take a 45-39 lead, thanks to two straight triples from Jun Manzo.

HAU cut the deficit to 43-45 before Gerald Fernandez sank a clutch trey for a 48-43 lead with a minute left in the game. The lead was cut again to three at 45-48 but Manzo replied with split charities as HAU fouled to stop the clock. UV now faces opening day tormentor LSGH for the Passerelle division title. In other Passerelle games, LSGH dumped HAU, 68-52.

The national finals of the BEST Center SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament is the year-ending games of this nationwide tournament sponsored by Milo. (FREEMAN)