UV scores twinkill, ANS stuns USC in SBP Passerelle tilt

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas scored a twinkill while Abellana National School scored the biggest win of its rookie year at the resumption of the SBP Passerelle Tournament backed by Milo at the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu Mango avenue campus gym.

UV trounced USPF, 46-18, to kick off its campaign in the Passerelle division, while its younger brothers smothered USC, 48-29, in an SBP division game. Meanwhile, rookie team Abellana leaned on RJ Winstone Villamorte's buzzer beater to upset USC, 38-37 in a Passerelle division game.

The UV Passerelle team led from start to finish to make its season debut, streaking to a 24-13 halftime lead. It was cruise control all the way after taking a 35-15 lead at the end of three periods. Jose Zaldy Dizon led UV with 19 points. Kin Dayday and Jose Ramon Achacoso led USPF with six each.

In the SBP game, UV, which is tabbed to defend its championship, flexed its muscles anew, jumping the gun and never looking back to score its second straight win. After taking a 14-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, UV sailed to a commanding 26-11 halftime lead and 45-14 lead after three quarters. Michael Monton led a balanced UV offense with eight points. USC was led by Justin Betinol who had 12.

In the closest game of the day, Abellana came from behind to score their first ever win in the Passerelle division. After trailing 7-14, 16-26 and 25-30 at the end of the first three quarters, Abellana slowly but surely worked its way back, tying the game twice at 32-all and 34-all.

After Rasheed Libradilla drilled a triple to give USC a 37-34 lead with 45 seconds left, Ketch Jakosalem cut the lead to 37-36 with 30 seconds remaining.

After a series of turnovers by both sides, Abellana had four seconds to execute a play for the win, finding Villamorte who ironically scored his only two points of the game for the game-winner, sending the Abellana bench and supporters into a mad celebration. Kent John Remocaldo led Abellana with 13 points, while Reinhard Jumamoy led USC with seven.

In games of the CYBL Under 18, Abellana (1-0) topped University of San Jose Recoletos-Balamban (0-1) 72-420, Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (1-0) ran past St. Joseph's School of Mactan, 50-39, while USJ-R (1-0) defeated Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School (0-2) 52-40. (FREEMAN)