USC dominates Futures 3-on-3

If not for the venue, the Futures 3-on-3 Baller Battle could easily be mistaken as a practice session for University of San Carlos as its North and South Campus dribblers topped the Cebu leg at Sacred Heart School-Jesuit gym yesterday.

A USC-South Campus squad won the midget title while A-Tibz, a team from USC-North bagged the junior division crown.

An all USC finals in the two divisions emerged after the San Carlos dribblers disposed off host SHS-J and USPF in the semifinal round.

The midget final, despite being an all-USC affair, was nothing but friendly. The USC-South Campus needed an extra shootout to wrap up the title 9-8 against North Campus.

North Campus was leading 6-3 in the 10-minute action sponsored by Primovit and And1.

USC-South rallied to tie the count behind the guns of Johnmar Regidor and Jason Pestaño. Regidor found the net in the 4:10 mark for a twinner and a free throw by Pestaño tied it.

In the next possession, USC-North grabbed the lead after a lay-up by Rey Anthony Arnejo but Bradley Ryan Bacaltos managed to tie the count at 7-all before time expired. 

Regidor and Pestaño almost lost it for USC-South in the shootout as they both missed their free throws. Fortunately, Bradley and Lorenzo Bacaltos made their shots while USC-North could only manage a basket courtesy of Santini Ortega.

The junior division final, featuring two teams from USC-North Campus, also went into a shootout with A-Tibz winning 13-11.

Niño Jed Tiu and Kim Adrian Reyes of A-Tibz provided the cushion after an 11-all deadlock for the victory. The other members of the squad were Carlo Miko Santos and Kim Adrian Reyes.

Regidor and Otida won the coveted MVP award in the midget and junior categories, respectively.

Coach Mike Reyes and Ryan Betia of the University of San Carlos coordinated the Cebu leg of the tournament.—Caecent No-ot Magsumbol