THE University of San Carlos ended the five-year reign of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in an upset of enormous proportions, 63-58, in the semifinals of the Passerelle division of the 2012 Milo-backed BEST Twin Tournament Cebu yesterday at the SHS-Ateneo de Cebu basketball courts along Mango Avenue.
The win propelled USC to the finals slated for today at 3 pm at the Benedicto Gym along AS Fortuna in Mandaue City.
Things were all set for the much-awaited rematch between SHS-AdC and the University of the Visayas after the latter won, 56-53, over the Cebu Eastern College Dragons.
However, USC threw a wrench into those plans as they completely dominated the second and third periods to overhaul what was a 14-point deficit after the opening 10 minutes of action.
Early on, SHS-AdC appeared on point as they led, 22-8. But they managed a measly two points in the ensuing period while USC churned out 18 in a rally led by Juneau Antigua, Kent Malazarte and Densim Taytayan.
USC’s lead reached a high of 15, 41-26, with a 15-2 run anchored on the makes of Carlo Ortega and John Galinato in the third canto before SHS-AdC finished that stretch strong with an 8-0 run of their own fueled by shots by Gerard Mendoza for a 34-41 score going to the payoff period.
An intense battle ensued in the fourth with SHS-AdC inching as close as four, after three free-throws from Popoy Navarro with 24 seconds remaining. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio