REIGNING Passerelle division national champion University of the Visayas (UV) got its bid for a repeat title off to a fantastic start, defeating Don Bosco, 43-30, at the start of the Milo-backed BEST Center Tournament on Saturday at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu basketball courts along Mango Avenue.
UV earned the win with a huge third period scoring outburst that saw the team outscore its opponent by 15, 33-18, to turn a 20-all game into a lopsided rout.
In the other Group A game, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons rallied to beat the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Baby Panthers, 57-49.
John Vincent Galarse led CEC with 17 points as the Dragons came back from a 32-37 deficit at the start of the fourth to escape with the win.
Meanwhile in Group B, the University of San Carlos (USC) announced its intentions for the title with a dominant 63-20 win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars.
After opening up a 19-5 lead after the first 10 minutes of action, the rout was on for USC as it cruised to the easy win.
Finally, the Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles routed newcomers Southwestern University (SWU), 63-36, behind an outstanding second period stretch where it hammered its opponents, 22-2.
Coco Tuadles led the victors with 11 points.
The Milo-backed BEST SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament is now on its 30th season of providing competition for the developmental age groups.
The Passerelle division is for the Under 15 age group while the SBP division is for the Under 12 age group.
Games of the SBP division will kick off on July 25.