The defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) and bitter rivals Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) opened their respective stints in the CloudFone Batang PBA 2016 Cebu on victorious notes as they bested their opponents during the opening day of action yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Institute.
UV claimed a win over Don Bosco, 59-43, while Ateneo de Cebu edged the University of San Carlos (USC), 69-62.
The Baby Lancers took full control of the match in the third period, where they turned a slim 25-17 lead into a 51-28 bulge behind a barrage of points led Jose Dizon and Joshua Canoy, who each fired in 10 points during that telling stretch.
Both finished with 15 markers each to lead the way while Royce Alforque added 11.
Christian Boyboy paced Don Bosco with 18 while Juan Miguel de la Torre submitted 16.
While UV coasted to the victory, Ateneo de Cebu had to claw their way towards the win column.
From a slim 54-52 lead, Ateneo de Cebu streaked ahead 60-52 with 5:11 left behind Maynard Uy and John Aguilar.
Coco Tuadles and Mark Dumandan took over to give Ateneo de Cebu a 66-56 lead with 2:35 left.
Joshua Fuentebella and Dumandan had 11 each to lead Ateneo de Cebu while Tuadles chimed in with 10.
Meanwhile, the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Baby Panthers fought back from a huge 22-point deficit to down Abellana National School (ANS), 92-86.
A listless first half saw USP-F trail, 30-45, at halftime but a fiery third period performance trimmed the deficit to a single point, 64-65, before taking over in the fourth to register the win.
Winston Ynot had 25 for USP-F, Gabriel Cometa pitched in 22 while Christopher Isabelo scored 21 in a balanced show of scoring force.
Julian Romero paced ANS with 23 while the hulking Briedyn Smith, formerly of USC, added 21.