On to Bacolod for USC NC, SHSJ
It’s on to Bacolod for the University of San Carlos North Campus (USC NC) and the Sacred Heart School Jesuit (SHSJ) as they topped the Small Basketeers Philippines (SBP) and Passerelle divisions, respectively, of the Cebu Milo BEST SBP/Passerelle twin basketball tournament over the weekend at the jam-packed Capitol Parish Gym.
The Baby Warriors erased the stigma of finishing second last year by beating Don Bosco, 44-36, in the SBP division. The SHSJ Eagles won their first ever back-to-back championship in the history of the tournament with a nail-biting win over USC NC, 68-65.
The SBP championship game was a nip and tuck affair through the first three quarters, with USC NC controlling the firs half, and Don Bosco dominating the third. USC NC enjoyed an 18-10 lead at the half, but Don Bosco came back to slice the lead to only one at 25-24, at the end of the third period. Don Bosco controlled the momentum at the start of the fourth quarter, taking a 30-28 lead at the five-minute mark. But that was all they could muster as the Baby Warriors broke the close game open with an 8-0 run for a 36-30 lead with Andrey Armenion’s contributing six in the stretch. Don Bosco replied with a mini rally to cut the lead to 34-38, but Armenion was there again to ice the game with two field goals. He scored 13 of his game-high 21 points in the final period to lead the Baby Warriors.
Above: The USC NC SBP team celebrate after winning the SBP championship.
In the Passerelle championship game, it was a combination of Daryl Nazareno, and SHSJ’s big men stopping a spirited USC NC rally to score the school’s second straight championship. USC had controlled the first quarter, but SHSJ came back strong in the second and third quarters to nurse a two-point 45-43 lead going into the fourth period. The Eagles then went to Jerry Seno and Nazareno for offense in the fourth, only to have USC rallying back. With SHSJ enjoying a 63-60 lead with 1:42 left in the game, USC’s Michael Rita delivered a booming triple to tie the game. Nazareno then replied with four straight points for a 67-63 lead. Rita added two free throws to cut the lead to two, 67-65, with 31 seconds left in the game. With USC guaranteed of another ball possession, Coach Roland Remedio called for one stop, but this is where SHJS’s big men took over. While the Eagles failed to score in the ensuing play, their big men were there to control the offensive rebounds. Two SHSJ misses were translated to two offensive rebounds, denying USC of a crucial end-game possession. USC fouled to stop the clock, but Nazareno was there to split his charities with three seconds remaining for the final count. Nazareno had 11 of his 17 points in the fourth period to lead the Eagles, while Ahlen Kikuchi led USC with 14.
In the games for third place, SHSJ nipped USC Couth 32-30 in the SBP division, while University of Cebu trounced University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 74-60.
The 2008 Cebu champions will represent Cebu at the Visayas Regional Finals that will be held in Bacolod from November 8-9. The SHSJ Passerelle team is looking to improve its runner-up finish in the same leg from last year, while the USC SBP squad is seeking to duplicate SHSJ’s winning the Visayas leg last year.
Box scores:
SBP Championship
USC NC (44) – Armenion 21, Deniega 6, Piad 5, Balankig 5, Benedicto 2, Adlawan 2, Bulan 2, Padilla 1.
Don Bosco (36) – Tan 6, Lapurga 6, Chi 5, Quimque 4, Yap 4, Aying 4, Tatoy 4, Bollozos 2, Climaco 1, Aliganga 1.
Passerelle Championship
SHSJ (68) – Nazareno 17, Zozobrado 8, B. de la Cruz 8, J. de la Cruz 8, Seno 7, Yu 6, Porter 5, Antigua 5, Tecson 3, Abbu 1.
USC NC (65) – Kikuchi 14, Rita 7, Dalangpan 7, Palapar 7, Guardiario 6, Co 6, Omolon 6, Ortega 4, Arnejo 4, Rabuya 2, Romaguera 2.
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