UV clinches two titles SHS-AdC, USC nab one each in Alaska D-League

CEBU, Philippines – A total of 74 teams joined the tournament. Two hundred one games were played. And the champions have been determined. The University of the Visayas scored two age group championships while Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and University of San Carlos won one apiece at the close of the Alaska Basketball D-League 2014 at the Magis Eagle Arena at the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu campus in Canduman, Mandaue City.

UV bagged its first win as it halted USC, 43-38, to win the Under 10 Division championship. It later outscored SHS-AdC, 62-57, to win the Under 15 Division 1 title. SHS-AdC squeezed past USC, 66-63, to win the Under 17 Division 1 championship, while USC defeated SHS-AdC, 64-32, to win the Under 12 Division 1 championship.

UV kicked off the day by storming to a big lead in the Under 10 Division final, maintain the lead before cooling off in the endgame. The U10 wards of Coach Jay Mar Canoy broke the game open in the second quarter to settle the outcome early. After a 10-4 first quarter lead, Franc Gabunada poured nine of his game-high 18 points in the second quarter to give UV a 22-9 halftime lead.

USC sliced the deficit to 29-20 after three quarters before Gabunada led an endgame surge to build a comfortable lead. USC staged a last-ditch rally to cut the lead but didn’t have time on their side. Kent Jason Dumandan added 10 in support role to Gabunada. Angelo Centino led USC with 13 points as Justin Sentinol added 10.

Cebu Eastern College bagged third place as it nipped Monterrey School of Talisay, 25-23.

UV’s second trophy for the tournament didn’t come easy as they played stalker to SHS-AdC for most of the game before gaining control and the upper hand. SHS-AdC enjoyed leads of 27-23 at halftime and took a 47-43 lead going into the final period.

Beirn Laurente then drilled his fourth triple of the game to spark a fourth quarter rally and take the lead for good.  He had 18 points while James Saliot added 14. Rubic Bacao led the Magis Eagles with 13 while Joshua Mah chipped in 10.

In the game for third place, USC escaped past Ormoc 45-44.

SHS-AdC won the Under 17 Division 1 championship in a cliffhanger of a game that saw them storm to a comfortable lead, only to give it up before recovering in the windup. The Magis Eagles jumped into a 12 point lead at the start before settling for a 25-19 lead after one quarter. They took a halftime lead of 37-31 before USC stormed back to take a slim 47-46 lead at the end of three periods.

The fourth quarter was nip and tuck all the way with both sides exchanging baskets before Lyder Canieso and Kyle Cabarrubias scored four straight points for a 64-60 lead with a minute left in the game. USC cut the lead to 64-63 courtesy of Paolo Ramos before Ramon Lapina iced the win with free throws. Jed Colonia led SHS-AdC with 22 points while Canieso added 10. Kent Gato and Kent Moral had 15 points each to lead USC.

USC’s title came in the Under 12 Division 1 where they controlled the game from the get go to stop an upset-seeking SHS-AdC side, 64-32. USC jumped to a 22-5 lead after one quarter with Justin Atilano and Brandon Largo leading the way. USC then padded the lead to 42-12 at halftime with Vince Razo, Nicael Cabanero and Tracy Dadang taking over. It was cruise control for the rest of the way. Atilano and Razo had 16 and 12 points, respectively to lead USC.

In the game for third place, Don Bosco Technology Center won over UV,  41-26.

In the championship games of Division 2, UV-B defeated Ormoc, 57-34 to win the Under 12 title. Southwestern University won over Don Bosco Liloan, 74-66 in the Under 15 Division. UV-Mandaue outplayed Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology, 79-68, to win the Under 17 title. AE Sports Toledo City and One on One bagged the Top Contender spots in the Under 17 Division 2 for Clubs. In Girls Under 17 division games, Abellana National School cruised past Cebu International School, 45-13. CIS bounced back by beating Don Bosco Liloan, 38-13. (FREEMAN)