THE CEBU EASTERN College Dragons grabbed the crown in the Passerelle division of the CYBL Vismin Goodwill games 2012 after they defeated the University of San Carlos, 58-50, in the championship game held last Wednesday at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Gym in Canduman, Mandaue City.
The Dragons seized the momentum in the third period and took a lead that they would not relinquish until the final buzzer.
CEC found themselves down early, 8-15, after the opening 10 minutes of action. But they managed to recover and even took the lead, 24-23, at halftime. Then came the barrage of points at the start of the third in the form of a 10-2 rally that opened a 34-25 lead with 3:20 remaining in that stretch.
The Dragons kept their distance but the Baby Warriors persevered and came within four, 47-52, with a little over two minutes remaining in the game. CEC, though, kept their composure and countered with five free throws and a field goal to nail the championship.
In the SBP division, St. John’s Institute (SJI) of Bacolod and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu streaked to 5-1 records to stage a showdown for the championship. SJI bowed to guest team Assumption College of Davao, 37-78, but bounced back to top USC, 54-35. SHS-Ateneo de Cebu nipped Ateneo de Davao, 64-61 and Don Bosco 72-18.
The CYBL Vismin Goodwill Games 2012 is the first-ever gathering of powerhouse teams from the Visayas and Mindanao under the Cebu Youth Basketball League’s expansion programs. A total of 13 teams have gathered for what is expected to become an annual activity for the CYBL. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio