UV battles SHS-Ateneo for Passerelle title

CEBU, Philippines — It will be another showdown between the green and blue for the Passerelle division championship of the 33rd SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo. The University of the Visayas cruised to its fourth straight win in the tournament, a 74-40 romp over Don Bosco Technical College in the cross-over semifinals played at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Mango Avenue campus gym over the weekend.

They face the SHS-Ateneo Magis team that scored a 41-24 win over the SHS-Ateneo Lux Oriens team in the other semifinals showdown.

UV was hardly threatened throughout the match, breaking the game wide open in the third quarter after a 29-22 halftime lead. The Baby Lancers built a 55-31 lead after three quarters and never looked back. They switched to high gear in the fourth period to finish the rout. Selwyn Wagwag, son of his namesake father and ex-Lancer and Denisvee Sinoy had 11 points each to lead UV. Jeric Yerro, younger brother of Joshua of the UV Juniors team, added 10. Karl Cua led Don Bosco with seven points.

In a battle of blue and white, the Magis team of SHS-Ateneo also leaned on a big third quarter and a suffocating fourth quarter to oust its brother team. After taking a 21-17 halftime lead, they built a 36-24 lead then limited the other side to a scoreless fourth period to stage a grudge match with its elimination round tormentor UV.

Jhoernel Tangkay and Nico Tuadles led a balanced attack with seven points each to lead the Magis Eagles. Aaron Abunawan and Sean Uribe led the Lux Oriens side with seven points apiece. In a regular game to cap the elimination round, Abellana National School dealt USC a winless season via a 55-54 win in overtime.

UV and SHS-Ateneo de Cebu face off again, this time for the Passerelle title on Sunday with the champion representing Cebu in the Visayas Regional Finals that will be held in Bacolod in October. UV had earlier won the SBP division title over SHS-Ateneo. (FREEMAN)