SHS-Ateneo, SWU-Phinma win in SBP Passerelle Tournament

CEBU, Philippines - Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu rolled to their fifth straight win while Southwestern University-PHINMA earned the label as the Cinderella team of the season after scoring contrasting wins in the Passerelle division of the 2016 Cebu SBP Passerelle Tournament backed by Milo. The defending champion thwarted Don Bosco Technology Center, 48-23, while the Baby Cobras stunned University of San Carlos, 39-35 over the weekend at the SHS-Ateneo Mango campus avenue Gym.

 The Magis Eagles led from start to finish, limiting Don Bosco to only four points in the first half, thanks to their stingy trapping defense. SHS-Ateneo led 11-2 and 21-4 after the first two quarters.

Don Bosco got its offense going in the third quarter, but this wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Mark EJ Dumandan led a balanced attack with ten points while Maynard Uy added eight. Kadhshein Tagalog led the Greywolves with seven.

For the Baby Cobras, it was another big morale-boosting win, its third straight after starting the season with two straight losses. And just like its previous game, SWU-PHINMA fell behind 5-6, 9-19 and 18-23 at the end of the first three quarters.

Jayme Aznar then exploded with ten fourth quarter points to lead the SWU-PHINMA rally and a tie for third place in the team standings with Don Bosco at 3-2. SWU-PHINMA and Don Bosco for the number three seed spot next weekend.

In the other Passerelle game, Abellana National School wrapped up its season with a 56-38 win over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation. UV and SHS-Ateneo are tied at the top of the teams standings with 5-0 records, followed by SWU-PHINMA (3-2), Don Bosco (3-2), Abellana (2-4), USC (0-4) and USPF (0-4).

 In the Small Basketeers Philippines division, Don Bosco Technology Center barged into the semifinals after defeating SHS-Ateneo B, 36-24. The Greywolves dominated the game from the get go and never gave their opponents a chance to stage a rally.

Don Bosco was up 11-4 and 21-6 after the first two periods and it was cruise control from then on to the win. Sid Reroma led Don Bosco with 16 points.

In the other game, USC solidified its third place spot via a 44-26 win over SWU-PHINMA. Justin Betinol led USC anew with 10 points as the Baby Warriors enjoyed leads of 12-1, 24-10 and 36-18 after the first three quarters.

UV leads the team standings with a 4-1 slate, followed by SHS-Ateneo A (4-1), USC (3-2), DBTC (2-3), SHS-Ateneo B (1-4) and SWU-PHINMA (1-4). In the semifinals, UV faces Don Bosco, while SHS-Ateneo A battles USC.

 The 2016 Cebu SBP Passerelle Tournament backed by Milo will determine Cebu’s representative to the Visayas Regional Finals which will be held in Roxas City November 19 to 20. UV was last year’s SBP champion while SHS-Ateneo won the Passerelle division title. (FREEMAN)