UV collects 3 CYBL titles

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas basketball program took three of the four Division One age group titles of the Casino Active Cup/ CYBL 2017 at the Magis Eagles Arena.

In the Under 19 age group, UV rode on Jancork Cabahug’s 45 points and withstood an endgame rally to douse Don Bosco, 85-81. In the Under 16 age group, UV came from behind to outlast Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, 85-81. In the Under 13 age group, UV stunned title favorite Ormoc, 60-49. In the only age group that they didn’t win, it was One on One defeating UV, 41-30.

 Cabahug proved once again how he can dominate the juniors division as he erupted for 45 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter when Don Bosco launched an endgame rally that added excitement to a game that UV controlled form the start.

After enjoying leads of 25-14, 42-33, and 67-52 after three quarters, UV let their guard down against a Don Bosco rally that cut the lead to four. But Cabahug took over and scored 13 of UV’s last 18 points of the game to seal the title. Beirn Laurente added 12 points to support Cabahug. Ken Gato led Don Bosco with 29 points as Aljie Mendez chipped in 23.

 UV came from behind to snatch the Under 16 title behind an endgame rally andd the heroics of Steve Nash Enriquez and Osias Padilla.

Down 61-66, the pair combined for an 8-0 run to give UV the lead for good at 69-66 with 1:50 left in the game. Nicael Cabanero sliced the lead to 69-67 with a free throw with 57 ticks remaining before Enriquez scored on a nifty drive, 71-67, 36 seconds left. The UV defense then clamped down on the Magis Eagles. Padilla led UV with 20 points. Cabanero led SHS-Ateneo with 15.

 UV’s third title came as a surprise as they stunned Ormoc, a team that had dominated the opposition in the classification round. UV went on a defensive plan to shut down Ormoc’s top gunners and it worked. UV led from start to finish and stuck to their defensive game plan for the win.

Mike Monton scored a career-high 31 points for UV while Franc Gabunada added 16. Mark Fian and James Abanez had nine points each to lead Ormoc.

But it wasn’t an all UV show as One on One took the Under 11 age group championship with CJ Yurag leading the way with 12 points. After yielding the first quarter, 8-9, it was One on One all the way from the second quarter until the end of the game.

In the Under 16 Division 2 championship, SHS-Ateneo 2 defeated SHS-Hijas de Jesus, 72-67 behind the 20 points of Willy Allosada and 14 each of Ernest Tanting and Chans Potot. Paolo Abalos led SHS-Hijas with 13.

 The Casino Active Cup / CYBL 2017 marks Season 10 of the Cebu Youth Baskietball League.  A total of 75 teams joined the tournament which had four age groups: Under 11, 13, 16 and 19. The Under 13, 16 and 19 age groups had two divisions: Divisions 1 and 2, based on the strength of the teams. (FREEMAN)