UV, UST, Ateneo rule Adidas streetball

University of Visayas (UV), University of Sto. Tomas (UST), Ateneo de Davao and La Salle Greenhills blew the opposition to dominate the National Finals of the Adidas Streetball Challenge 2002 held recently at SM City-Cebu.

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Joseph Quinahan towered in both offense and defense by scoring five points and blocking five shots to lead Visayas winner University of Visayas to the Seniors division title via 17-8 thrashing of defending champion Ateneo de Davao.

The 6-foot-4 Quinahan was backed up by tournament slam dunk king Jayford Rodriguez, who topscored with seven points for the Green Lancers, shifty playmaker Mark Ababon and Morsie Akad. Ex-pro Elmer Cabahug called the shots for UV.

In the distaff finals, Northern Luzon qualifier University of Sto. Tomas banked on the game-long brilliance of diminutive point guard Irene Cahilig to outclass NCR victor Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), 17-14, and claim the women’s crown.

The 5-foot Cahilig, known throughout the tournament as little "Iverson", was later named MVP due to her consistent play capped by her nine-point explosion in the final. Other members of the Peque Tan-coached UST Golden Tigresses were Nerissa Noscal, Juvy Salazar and Aileen Arcigal.

By topping their respective divisions, both University of Visayas and UST have earned the right to represent Team Philippines to the Adidas Asian Streetball Finals 2002 set on Aug. 29-Sept. 1 in Shanghai, China, where NBA young stars Antawn Jamison of the Golden State Warriors and Mike Miller of the Orlando Magic are expected to grace the event.

In the tightly-contested Juniors finals match, unheralded Dexter Ansaldo came through in the clutch by scoring the decisive free throw in overtime shootout as Mindanao champions Ateneo de Davao Blue Knights ruled the category by subduing title-favorite Xavier Stallions of NCR, 20-19.

Regulation ended at 16-all, but the Blue Knights, coached by Rainerio Gomez, proved steadier in the shootout by outscoring Xavier, 4-3, to win. Ateneo de Davao likewise surmounted the excellent plays of Stallions Gabriel Sia and Woodward Co.

Leading the charge for the Blue Knights was MVP Aaron Medina, supported by Ansaldo, Paulo Lim and Giancarlo Fernan.

In the exciting Midgets division, burly center Vince Fran scored the crucial basket with only 17.8 seconds left as the La Salle Greenhills Greenies of NCR hung on to win over Ateneo de Davao, 11-10, in the finals.

La Salle Greenhills bucked the presence of 6-foot-1 Blue Knight Cylron Lozano and the exceptional three-point shooting of guard Felix Pepito in winning the match. MVP Nicholas Salva powered his way to a game-high eight points to lead the La Salle charge. Other members of the Greenies-winning team were Matthew Sia and Marco Yulo, with coach Hubert de los Santos.