CLASS STAMPED
Coaches and players of the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers receive their championship trophy after the topping the BEST SBP/Passerelle Tournament National Finals Magis Eagles Arena in Mandaue City yesterday.
(CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
The best 15-under basketball squad is from Cebu.
This the University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers emphatically established as they waylaid the Holy Child College of Davao, 65-46, in the finals to claim the national crown in the Passerelle division of the Milo-supported BEST SBP/Passerelle Tournament National Finals yesterday at the Magis Eagles Arena in Canduman, Mandaue City.
Playing with renewed resolve after suffering a 41-55 loss at the hands of the Mindanao representatives earlier in the day, the wards of head coach Jaymar Canoy attacked early and held on to their lead en route to giving UV its first title in this competition since team owner Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas built the Small Basketeers of the Philippines and Passerell programs in 2010.
“Best Passerelle team in the country, that sounds so good to hear,” Gullas said. “As happy as I am that we are the national champions, I’m happy for Cebu Basketball in general. These past two national competitions PCCL (Philippine Collegiate Champions League) and Milo BEST showed that the gap between Manila and Cebu basketball is narrowing. As a provincial team and winning it all against the giants of Luzon and Manila makes it all the more sweeter.”
UV zoomed off to an 18-9 lead after the first 10 minutes of action before Denzel Sabroso canned three three-pointers in the ensuing canto that helped the Baby Lancers establish a 35-20 lead at halftime.
Osias Andrew Padilla (14) battles for the rebound against two Holy Child College of Davao players during their championship match. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
UV kept the pedal to the metal in the third as it got timely contributions from Kint Ariar, John Paquibut, and Joshua Canoy, who combined for 11 to bring the lead to 22, 48-26, heading to the final frame.
Sabroso finished the game with 12, all coming from beyond the arc. James Zenarosa chipped in eight markers.
Holy Child’s top gun, Allan Beltran, was held to nine points.