The pre-tournament favorites started strong on opening day of the BEST SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament sponsored by Milo at the Lux Oriens Gym of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.
Defending champion University of San Carlos launched its title retention bid with a 75-15 win over University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in a Group A game, while 2013 runner-up University of the Visayas cruised past Southwestern University 62-20, in Group B.
While USJ-R scored the first three points of the tournament to start the game, it was an all-USC show from then on as they showed that they were ready to defend their title from last year. They jumped to a 28-3 lead after one quarter, then padded it to 50-8 at halftime. It was smooth sailing for the Carolinians the rest of the way. Joseph Fontanosa and Louisse Sevilla had 10 points each to lead the Baby Warriors.
In the other Group A game, CEC blew hot and cold before nailing a 49-36 win over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation. After a 19-2 first period lead, CEC allowed USPF to claw back to 31-23 at halftime before recovering the second half. Ryan Tecson led CEC with 11.
In Group B action, UV went to a new-find in Kyle Campollo, who dominated the Baby Cobras inside the paint with his team-high 12 points. UV jumped to a 15-4 lead after one period and a halftime lead of 23-8, then was hardly challenged the rest of the way.
The same was true for Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu which stopped Don Bosco Technology Center 58-15. After a shaky 12-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Magis Eagles blanked the Greywolves in the second for a commanding 32-6 lead at halftime before cruising to the win. Lyder Canieso led SHS-AdC with 12 points.
Games of the tournament backed by Milo will resume next weekend at the SHS-AdC Mango Campus Gym with the SBP division teams led by back-to-back defending champions USC making their debut.