All-USC finals in Milo Best hoop

National Small Basketeers of the Philippines defending champion University of San Carlos (USC)-South and USC-North A massacred its respective opponents to book an all-USC final showdown even as Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC) and USC-North battle it out in the Pasarelle division finals of the Milo BEST basketball tournament at the Capitol Parish gym.

As expected USC South A had a grand time in the court toying with its counterpart as they hacked out a, 77-10, victory over USC-North B while USC North-A walloped DBTC, 62-46, in the other semifinal outing.

Powered by its veteran players Bradley Bacaltos, Daryl Nazareno and Elgie Purisima, USC-South A held USC North scoreless in the first quarter 23-0.

Richcres Nwanaka lead the scoring binge with 14 points while the trio of Bacaltos, Nazareno and Purisima posted 12, nine and eight points, respectively.

Although, USC North converted two points in the second quarter, it also played good defense as USC South only managed a point to close it, 24-2, at the turn.

USC North B loaded the rest of its seven points in the second half as the unstoppable USC South continued with its demolition job.

In the other semifinals, USC North A returned the favor to Don Bosco by blanking them in the first period, 23-0.

DB mounted a fierce rally as they slowly erased the deficit and forged a tie 44-all in the third canto, but USC launched a breakaway in the payoff period en route to victory.

In the Passarelle, defending champion DB prevailed over University of Cebu, 61-67, behind Christopher Lapitan and Joseph Parilla, scoring 10 and 9 points, while USC-North got past Sacred Heart School-Jesuit 76-72, via overtime. - Sona Mae V. Povadora