UV/Cebu splits matches in Coke PBA hoop finals

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas/Cebu went 1-1 during the first two days of the national finals of the Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament 2012 in Manila.

On opening day, the Baby Lancers routed Davao/Holy Child School, 74-41, behind the 20 points of Leonard Santillan. They, however, bowed to Taytay/San Beda, 81-86, a day later.

Taytay/San Beda and Pampanga/Holy Angel University went 2-0 to lead all teams in this six-team national finals. Taytay crushed Caloocan 108-75 in its first assignment. Pampanga topped Laguna, 75-67 on opening day, then scraped past Davao, 58-55, a day later.

The team standings have Taytay/San Beda and Pampanga/Holy Angel University on top with 2-0 slates followed by Cebu/UV (1-1), Caloocan (1-1), Laguna (0-2) and Davao (0-2).

The teams play a single round robin elimination phase with the top two teams clashing for the championship.

UV/Cebu now needs to sweep the rest of its games to make it to the championship, with Taytay/San Beda looming as a shoo-in to the top spot. (PR) (THE FREEMAN)