SWU-Phinma, WJC bag CYBL Division 2 titles

CEBU, Philippines - Southwestern University-Phinma and WJC Auto Sales bagged the championships of their respective age groups in the Division 2 of the Casino Active  Cup/CYBL 2017 at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Mango Avenue campus gym. SWU-PHINMA scored its first ever grassroots championship when it outlasted USC South, 28-20, in the Under 13 age group of  Division 2. Meanwhile, WJC Auto Sales led from start to finish to topple Batang Elite, 52-42, to bag the Under 19 title of  Division 2.

SWU-Phinma took control early in the game, taking an 8-2 lead after the first quarter and a 12-8 halftime lead. USC South bounced back to tie the game at 17-all by the end of the third quarter, sending the game back to zero.

SWU-Phinma’s Rey Kristian de la Calzada and Maxile Cole then kicked off  the fourth quarter with a 5-0 run to create enough breathing at 22-17, a lead they maintained until the end. Kerk Javier made a free throw to cut the lead to 22-18 but that was the closest USC South would get as the Baby Cobra defense clamped up on the Baby Warriors.

Nari Cabradillas and de la Calzada increased the lead to 26-18 with 42 seconds left to put the game out of reach. Cabradillas and Justin Umali had six points each to lead SWU-PHINMA and give Coach Rocky Alcoseba his first title of  his young career. Also in the sidelines was coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba who was there to support his son.

In the Under 19 Division 2 game, WJC Auto Sales steadily gained momentum as the game wore on in stopping an upset-seeking Batang Elite side. WJC took a 12-6 lead after one quarter and led 21-14 at halftime. They broke the game wide open in the third quarter, erecting a 38-25 lead. But Batang Elite never gave up, threatening in the endgame before WJC stepped up to stop the tide. Andric Gino Banez led WJC with 12 points while Rovic Angco chipped in 10. Team captain John Lloyd Canoy had five. The WJC Auto Sales team of team owner Wilber Canoy and Coach Denshoe Pardillo went undefeated throughout the tournament and is now seeking to join the ranks of the Division One teams.

In other playoff games, SHS-Ateneo de Cebu and the University of the Visayas arranged another title showdown when they won in the semifinals of  the Under 16 Division 1. The Magis Eagles outlasted USPF, 44-37, while UV hung on to beat Don Bosco, 54-50.

In the Under 16 Division 2 finals, two “Hearter” teams will face off. Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus outlasted CIC-Mandaue in triple overtime, 62-58. Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu 2 defeated Don Bosco-B, 41-29.

The Division 1 Finals will be held today at the Magis Eagles Arena of the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu with UV facing One on One in the Under 11 age group; UV against Ormoc (Under 13); UV vs. SHS-Ateneo 1 (Under 16); and UV vs. Don Bosco (Under 19). (FREEMAN)