CESAFI 2017 BASKETBALL UV VS UC JRS/SEPT.17,2017:Joshua Verro of UV Baby Green Lancers goes for a lay-up against UC Baby Web Masters players during their game in CESAFI 2017 at Cebu Coliseum.UV win the game.(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The University of San Carlos (USC) pulled off a shocker as they ousted the defending champions University of the Visayas (UV), 49-32, in the Passerelle semifinals of the Cebu leg of the 32nd SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo last Sunday at the Magis Eagles Arena.
The game hung in the balance as USC led by a scant three points, 31-28, heading to the fourth.
But USC suddenly went hot, scoring 14 unanswered points to build a 45-28 advantage with 3:35 left.
In contrast, UV’s scoring drought ended when it scored its first points of the final canto with just two minutes left.
Rauric Panimdim led USC’s balanced offensive with 14 points.
Standing opposite USC in the finals will be Ateneo de Cebu, which blew away Southwestern University-Phinma, 73-46.
Ateneo de Cebu did not waste time and surged in front, 18-5, in the first to set the tone for the one-sided affair.
Yuri Espina paced the boys in blue with 11 while Chico Chan added nine.
Ateneo de Cebu last hoisted the Cebu title in 2015 while USC won the championship back in 2013.
In the SBP class, UV outclassed Don Bosco, 63-54, behind a spirited fourth period rally led by Daniel Padilla and Xerxes Duran.
Padilla finished with 15 while Duran scored 12 to send UV to the finals against Ateneo de Cebu, which routed USC, 71-28.
Kristian Porter led Ateneo de Cebu’s cause with 12 while Jared Bahay added 11.