UV Baby Lancers cop U-16 crown

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – University of Visayas blew out Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori, 120-75, in an anti-climactic final game yesterday to capture the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas National Under-16 basketball championship at the University of Baguio gym.

UV top gun Andres Paul Desiderio unloaded 36 points, grabbed seven rebounds and issued four assists, Leonard Santillan added 23, Ralph Jude Dinolan 20, and Gerald Fernandez 11 points.

“The boys stepped up and they played hard and well. They deserve it,” said coach Jaymar Canoy. “ I though we would be ousted early because we lost our first game, but we recovered.”

After shocking National Capital Region bet University of Santo Tomas, 93-87, in the semifinals, the Baby Lancers primed themselves up for a titanic clash with Sacred Heart of Cagayan de Oro, which ousted St. John Institute, 85-72, in the other Final Four matchup.

But following a close first quarter, UV seized control and never let go, cruising the rest of the way in the nationwide grassroots development tournament presented by Summit Mineral Water and supported by Energen Nutrition Milk and Cereal, Philex Mining, Molten and the MVP Sports Foundation.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, in Manila on personal matters, paid tribute to the Baby Lancers.

“A great learning institution from Cebu and a great basketball power, my congratulations to UV,” said Barrios, who said two more SBP tourneys – a 3-on-3 and an Under-18, both nationwide – are up next.

In the battle for third place, UST whipped Bacolod-based St. John Institute, 85-72.

Red-hot UV, which entered the crossover semis via the quotient system, led by as many as 37 points, 80-43, holding in awe in the cold venue a crowd of 3,000, including former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, who presented the championship trophy.