CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Carlos (USC) SBP team is on a roll and is virtually unstoppable. The defending champions coasted to their fourth straight win with a 63-22 annihilation of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) at the resumption of the SBP division games of the BEST SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament at the USC North Gym. USC jumped on their opponents from the opening tip, outscoring them 11-1 in the first period. The lead grew to 29-5 at halftime and it was cruise control through the last two periods.
Antonio Czar Octaviano led USC with 12 points while Vince Razo added 10.
In other games of the SBP division played over the long weekend, the University of the Visayas (UV) outlasted Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC), 32-26, while CEC stopped SHS-AdC, 51-27.
In Passerelle division, USC scored its second straight win via a thrilling 67-62 win over Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu. Down 31-19 at halftime, USC clawed back slowly but surely by going to their press in the third quarter and cutting the lead to 50-46 going into the payoff period.
USC then kicked off the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run to take the lead for good at 57-50. SHS-AdC countered to cut the lead to 60-58, but USC stretched the lead to 65-60 to put the game out of reach.
John Galinato led USC with 15 points while Scott Aying added 13.
In other Passerelle division games, UV jumped on SWU, 72-10, while Cebu Eastern College stopped USJR, 93-36.
The BEST Center SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament is on its 28th season of providing a venue of competition for the Under 15 and Under 12 age groups nationwide. The Cebu champion will face off against the champions from Bacolod, Iloilo and Roxas for the Visayas Regional Finals, with the Visayas champion qualifying for the national finals. The games are also held in cooperation with RCBC Savings Bank. (FREEMAN)