SHS-Ateneo escapes UV

CEBU, Philippines — In a game decided from the free throw line, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu nipped the University of the Visayas, 31-29, in a Small Basketeers Philippines (SBP) division game at the 33rd SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament Cebu Leg backed by Milo.

Froilan Maglasang and Dylan Jared Lim went three-out-four from the stripe while their UV counterparts went 0-for-4 in the endgame to settle the outcome. With SHS-Ateneo up 26-22 after three quarters, UV went on a 7-2 run to take a 29-28 lead with 3:09 left in the game.

After both teams went scoreless from the field, Maglasang made two free throws to give the Magis Eagles a 30-29 lead with 1:17 left. Earlier, Khian Panerio missed two free throws for UV, 1:33 left.

Kent Clark Castro had a chance to give UV back the lead but also missed his free throws with eighteen seconds left. Dylan Jared Lim then split his charities for the final tally with twelve seconds left. Maglasang and Lim combined for 15 points to lead SHS-Ateneo. Jan Mark Toring and Marc Abangan had eleven points between themselves to lead UV.

In another close game in the Passerelle division, SHS-Ateneo Lux Oriens eked out a 39-37 win over Don Bosco Technical College, with John Carlos Ceniza delivering the game-winning basket coming off a 37-all tie. Don Bosco had taken leads of 10-9, 25-19 and 32-29 after the first three quarters before the Magis Eagles staged a rally, tying the game at 37-all.

SHS Lux Oriens was led by Aaron Abunawan’s eight points while Elrich Elijah Zulueta led Don Bosco with seven. In other Passerelle division games, UV trounced Cebu Eastern College, 50-28, as SHS-Ateneo Magis defeated Sisters of Mary School-Boystown, 63-23.

The 33rd SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo is the country’s premier league for the Under 12 and Under 15 age groups.

The Cebu champions qualify for the Visayas Regional Finals in October, while the Visayas champion moves on to the national finals in November. The University of San Carlos is the defending champion in the Passerelle division while SHS-Ateneo is the defending SBP division champion. Rico Navarro (FREEMAN)