Asian College Dumaguete, Cebu City win U18 3X3 crowns

CEBU, Philippines — There’s a new boys Under 18 3X3 champion for Central Visayas and they’re from Dumaguete.

Asian College proved that being a rookie team in the tournament wasn’t a concern as they toppled Minglanilla B, 21-14, to bag the championship of the SBP Under 18 3X3 Pambansang Tatluhan Regional Finals held over the weekend at the Sisters of Mary School-Boystown in Minglanilla, Cebu.

Meanwhile, Cebu City held on to its dominance in the girls division after nipping Carmen A, 14-13, for the championship.

Asian College dominated Minglanilla B in an abbreviated final match that ended with 2:10 left in the game after reaching 21 points first. They led from start to end and were never threatened. Justine Jay Ragay 9 led Asian College with nine points while Joshua Genesis Vincoy added eight. Ian Kyle Pardillo led Minglanilla B with eight.

In the game for third place, defending champion SMS-Boystown A defeated FPA-Dumaguete, 15-10.

Asian College went undefeated throughout the tournament, sweeping group play (3-0), defeating Naga in the Round of 16, 12-6; Carmen-B in the quarterfinals, 19-15; and FPA Dumaguete, 12-9, in the semifinals.

In the girls division, Team Cebu City nipped Carmen A on a strong drive down the right side by Maih Earl Archival with five seconds left to break a 13-all tie and give Cebu City the crown.

Carmen A had taken the initiative and led through most of the game until Archival tied the game at 12-all. Down 12-13, Carmen A’s Shan Andrea Sheñagan tied the game at 13-all after splitting two free throws, ten seconds left, setting up the play for the winning basket of Archival. Archival led Cebu City with nine points, including two two-pointers.

Compre A won the game for third place after topping Dumaguete JNHS-Dumaguete, 15-10.

Cebu City also went undefeated all tournament long, sweeping its group at 5-0 before eliminating Minglanilla B, 11-7, in the quarterfinals, and overcoming Compre-A, 18-17, in the semifinals.

Both champion teams won P10,000 and all-expense paid trips to the national finals October 29-30 at the Robinson’s Magnolia. The Central Visayas Regional Finals drew 34 teams in the boys division and 18 teams in the girls division. (FREEMAN)