UV makes SBP Nationals finals

CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas earned a second chance to face three-peat defending champion La Salle Greenhills, but this time it’s for the championship of the SBP division at the national finals of the 33rd SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament backed by Milo at the University of the Assumption in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

Needing two wins to make it to the finals, UV delivered through two lopsided wins.

The SBP Lancers crushed Mindanao champion Corpus Christi School of Cagayan de Oro, 74-45, then manhandled Luzon champion International School for Better Beginnings of Lucena, 57-28 in their last assignment of the elimination round to stage a rematch with La Salle Greenhills.

Khian Panerio led UV over Corpus Christi with 14 points as Neil Sinoy and Denver Bisnar had 12 apiece. Bisnar took charge in the game against ISBB with eight points.

Kenneth Cole added seven. La Salle Greenhills swept the elimination round, ousting Corpus Christi, 53-49 for a 3-0 win-loss record. UV is seeking to make up for the loss of the Visayas champion to La Salle last year when SHS-Ateneo de Cebu bowed to the Greenies in last year’s championship game.

UV had also played LSGH for the championship at the SBP national finals of 2016. Corpus Christi and ISBB will play for third place.

In the Passerelle division, National University and Corpus Christi will face off in the championship game after scoring their second straight wins in the two-day tournament.

NU demolished St. Robert’s International Academy of Iloilo, 77-48, while Corpus Christi ousted ISBB, 59-41. St. Robert’s and ISBB play for third place of the Passerelle division. (FREEMAN)