USC shocks Ateneo de Cebu to win CYBL 12-Under title

THE UNIVERSITY of San Carlos (USC) came all the way back from a nine-point deficit in the fourth period to stun the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, 53-50, in overtime in the finals of the under-12 Division 1 class in the Cebu Youth Basketball League on Monday at the Magis Eagles Arena inside the Ateneo de Cebu campus in Canduman, Mandaue City.

Staring at a 36-45 deficit in the final frame, USC found its second wind and tied the game at 45-all to send it to overtime after Reinhard Jumamoy canned a difficult running jumper.

Sensing blood in the water, USC pounced on its rivals in the extra session and zoomed in front, 51-46.

Ateneo de Cebu still had one last run as Aldrich Alvez hit a triple and Aaron Abunawan split his charities to pull to within 50-51.

But Stephen Cortes had ice in his veins as he calmly splashed in two free-throws to seal the win for USC.

Cortes scored 13 to lead the way for USC while Jumamoy pitched in a dozen.

That match was just one of three thrilling championship games.

In the under-10 division, the University of the Visayas (UV) outclassed USC, 44-41, behind a strong fourth period performance by Juliano Aragon, who scored 10 of his 18 during that stretch to tow his squad to the come-from-behind win.

Daniel Padilla paced UV with 24 points.

Sid Reroma led USC with 24 but was held down to a mere two points in the final frame.

In the under-18 Division 2 finals, Ateneo de Cebu’s Passerelle team edged the Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology, 75-73, behind Carlos Canoy’s two free-throws with no time remaining.