SBP under-16 national champions UV Baby Lancers celebrate victory with school’s top officials

The proud conquerors of the recently concluded Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) National Under-16 Basketball Championships  University of the Visayas (UV) Passerelle squad was treated to a hero’s welcome yesterday as they celebrated their momentous victory with the school’s top officials, including UV president and congressman Eduardo Gullas.

The national title was one that was unexpected as most pundits counted the Baby Lancers out after being just a replacement to the tournament’s initial choice to represent the region, the back-to-back Milo BEST Passerelle national champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles.

More so, UV’s Passerelle program is just into its second year of inception, making the victory even sweeter.

“This title is dedicated to all the doubters who said that we were too young, too raw and too immature to win a national title. I’m just ecstatic over the fact that it has been barely two years, and we have won a national championship already. We were really the underdogs and we overcame the odds which is what UV basketball is all about,” said UV basketball team manager Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas during the press conference.

UV’s path to the title was not one paved with roses as they started their campaign with a heartbreaking overtime loss to St. John’s Institute, a loss that was made even more bitter by the fact that they were leading by eight with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.

But with the stewardship of head coach Jay Mar Canoy and the incredible shotmaking of Cesafi juniors MVP Andres Paul Desiderio, the Baby Lancers were able to gather their bearings and go on the title run.

They topped their bracket and then in the semifinals, stunned the favored UAAP squad University of Sto. Tomas Baby Growling Tigers, starring the 6-foot-5 behemoth Alvin Baethiong, 84-78. They then went on to rout the Sacred Heart of Jesus-Montessori in the finals, 120-75, with Desiderio scoring 33 points in each of the aforementioned matches.

“They had the dream and the desire to win. Dehado ta but I’m proud to say that they crossed the line between possible and impossible. Proud kaayo mi nila and honored kaayo mi sa ilang nabuhat,” said Didi Gullas, also UV’s VP for Finance and Administration.

Desiderio’s offensive exploits did not go unnoticed with the scouts of the nation’s basketball powerhouses Ateneo and De La Salle University immediately sending feelers to the youngster. However, Samsam Gullas vowed to make sure that Liloan-native would remain with the Baby Lancers.

“As much as possible, we’ll try to keep him. Dugong green jud ni siya,” said Samsam, a sentiment that was echoed by the UV president.

“Dili nako mag-buotbuot if kuhaon si Paul. Nakat-on nako sa lesson,” said the congressman, referring to his decision to allow former UV stalwart Greg Slaughter to go to Ateneo, therefore substantially lowering their chances of bagging a 10th straight crown in the collegiate ranks two years ago.