Bounty B, a team powered by Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu standouts Andrew Velasco and big man Alex Visser, won the 18-under division of the Manila leg of the Under Armour 3×3 Southeast Asia Basketball yesterday at the Titan Love Court at the Bonifacio Global City.
They defeated Bounty A in overtime, 16-14, in the championship game. They were joined in by National University aces John Felicilda and Michael Malonzo.
Bounty B completed an unbeaten run through the tournament, which included a dominant 21-5 rout of PCU in the semifinals. The other semis saw Bounty A beat Escuela De Sophia, 21-13.
In a separate pocket competition, the University of Cebu quartet of John Bryl Cuyos, Alen Pelegrino, Emmanuelle Bautista and Virlou Orquez defeated an SBP Selection to emerge as champions.
It was a tightly fought affair, which also went to overtime. However, Bautista scored a layup and made the bonus free-throw to give the Joever Samonte-coached squad the win.
“I am so happy for them. I have seen how hard they practice and now it is starting to bear fruit. Hope they will now have a winning attitude – humble in victory; gracious in defeat. Come from behind ang victory nila,” said an ecstatic Atty. Baldomero Estenzo, manager of the UC basketball program.
In a talk with Cebu Daily News, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Sonny Barrios explained that the top four finishers of the Under Armour tournament will compose the pool of players from which they will select the team that will form the national team for the FIBA 3×3 U18 Asia Cup from May 26 to 28 at the Cyberjaya Gem-In Mall in Malaysia.