CIT-Hoop It Up stuns USC to rule ML Kwarta Padala hoop

The University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors suffered their first and only defeat in the tournament at the worst time.

In a very exciting titular showdown that thrilled the spectators to the bones, the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT)-manned Hoop It Up downed the previously unbeaten USC Baby Warriors, 72-71, in overtime thriller to bag the aspirants division crown of the BAP/MLSDF's 3rd ML Kwarta Padala Cup Inter-School Developmental Championship the other night at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

USC was smelling victory as it led by five points, 65-60, entering the final two-minute zone of the regulation, but Hoop It Up, toying on the costly miscues of its opponents, responded with a 5-0 blitz to lock the count at 65-all with 7.4 seconds remaining.

Hoop It Up could have sealed the win early, but Jordan Isidto flubbed a potential game-clincher, thus, the overtime.

It was a totally different story in the extra five-minute period as it was Hoop It Hoop whick took control, taking a three-point edge at 71-68 cushion on Ivan Borgonia's two free throws.

When the scored stood at 72-70 in favor of Hoop It Up with only eight seconds left, USC had a chance to forge a second extension after Nelton Otida was fouled by Charles Quiroga off a fake with 4.4 ticks to go.

Otida split his charities to pull USC within 71-72, but luck was still on USC's side as Otida grabbed the offensive rebound.

With time running out, Otida flicked a quick 3-pointer at the final buzzer. The ball perfectly arched but to the disappointment of the Baby Warriors, the ball bounced off the rim, prompting the entire Hoop It Up bench to leap for joy.

Indeed, it was a classic contest that could go either way around. Hence, the two protagonists deserved a hearty pat on their backs.

Shifty playmaker Charles Quioroga topped CIT-Hoop It Up with 21 points, while Borgonia and Isidto chipped in 15 and 14 markers, respectively, as they had great success in avenging their elimination round loss to the Baby Warriors.

Danjun Bercede topscored for the USC Baby Warriors with 18 points, while Bryan Negapatan added 17 points spiked with five triples, but their valiant efforts vanished in thin air as the Baby Warriors snapped out of they five-game win streak at the moment they badly needed to win.

Earlier in the battle for third place, John Joseph Parrilla scattered 24 points, while Chria Don Bacalso, Christjorey Lapitan and Vicent Villamor combined for 33 points to power Don Bosco College Greywolves to a 74-69 triumph over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers.