Members of the University of the Visayas’ SBP squad flash the no. 1 sign after winning the regional crown in Bacolod.
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THE SBP squad of the University of the Visayas (UV) reigned supreme in the 33rd SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo Visayas Regional Finals as they defeated St. John’s Institute (SJI), 58-52, in the finals on Sunday afternoon at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School.
Cebu, however, could not sweep the titles after Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu fell to St. Robert’s International Academy, 58-66, in the Passerelle Finals.
UV and St. Robert’s will now head to the national finals, slated for November 24-25 in Pampanga.
UV found its rhythm in the third canto as they outscored SJI, 19-9, to overhaul a 24-29 deficit and head to the final canto, on top, 43-38. A three-pointer by Neil Sinoy gave UV its biggest lead at 10, 48-38, but SJI pulled to within five, 50-55, with two minutes to go.
However, the boys of head coach Ronald Bucao and assistant, Michael Bucao, did not flinch as free-throws from Khian Panerio and Kenneth Cole sealed the win and the championship for UV.
Marc Abangan, the sparkplug for UV in that third period rally where he notched nine points, finished with 11.
Sinoy and John Baring, both of whom were also key cogs in that telling stretch, combined for 17 markers.
In the Passerelle Finals, it was still a nip-and-tuck game until St. Robert’s imposed their will in the final five minutes of the game.
With their defense ramping up and causing turnovers, St. Robert’s shattered a 52-all tie with a 10-0 run that all but gave them the crown.
Gabriel Claridad was especially deadly for the winners in crunchtime, as he scored 11 of his 15 points in the final period. Gwyn Pendon finished with 11.
Jhoernel Tangkay led Ateneo de Cebu with 16 points while Tristan Fuentes and Joash Cutamora added nine apiece.