UV off to SBP Passerelle National Finals

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas Small Basketeers Philippines team heads to Roxas City this weekend for the national finals of the 34th SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo.

The UV SBP team won the Visayas Regional Finals for the second straight year and is looking at improving on its second place finish at last year’s national finals where they lost to La Salle Greenhills in the championship game.

La Salle Greenhills is back seeking a fifth straight national title up against the other regional champions. The other champions are Corpus Christi School of Cagayan de Oro, representing Mindanao, and Berkeley School of Baguio, the champion from Luzon.

This early, La Salle is heavily favored to win its fifth straight championship, but UV has promised to give it their all to derail such plans.

In the Passerelle division, National University is going for a second straight national championship with its souped-up lineup. They will face off against Visayas’ first time champion Hercor College of Roxas, Mindanao champion Xavier University High School and Luzon champion International School for Better Beginnings of Lucena.

Games will be played at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center with executives from Nestlé Philippines expected to grace the event. The SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament is the premier tournament for the age group/grassroots level. The SBP is for the Under 12, 11 and 10 age groups, while the Passerelle division is for the Under 15, 14 and 13 age groups.

Games of this nationwide tournament started in August at the local level in Baguio, Pangasinan, Pampanga and Lucena for Luzon; Iloilo, Roxas, Bacolod and Cebu for the Visayas; Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga for Mindanao. Metro Manila served as one region.

Regional championships were then held in October and November, leading to this weekend’s national finals. The tournament is also supported by Chris Sports, Rain or Shine and Sklz.