THE University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) registered the upset of the tournament so far as they defeated the University of the Visayas (UV), 46-44, in Group A action in the under-19 division of the 2013 ThreeSixty Pharmacy Cup-Cebu Youth Basketball League Season 6 over the weekend at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu basketball courts along Mango Avenue.
USJ-R got off to fast start and did not look back after posting a 14-3 lead after the opening 10 minutes of action and a 27-14 lead at halftime.
UV made a game out of it as it came to within three, 42-45, but the Baby Jaguars held steady down the stretch for the win. UV fell to 1-1 (win-loss).
However, USJ-R’s celebration was short lived as it was downed by the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, 58-62, later. In a reversal of roles, the unheralded USPF surprised USJ-R by controlling the first three periods and taking a 44-36 lead going into the fourth quarter.
USJ-R stormed back in the final period, and tied the game at 58-all with 1:11 left in the game. But Sheldon Gahi broke USJR’s backs with his third triple of the game for a 61-58 lead with 26 seconds left. Robillo then missed two free throws for USJ-R with six seconds left, to seal the loss.
The Palarong Pambansa-bound CVIRAA squad continues to lead the group with a 2-0 record after handing the defending champions Adgers to their second loss in a row, 48-38.
In Group B, the Athletes for Christ in Excellent Service notched two wins in a row after they bested SHS-AdC 2, 58-28, as well as Lucky 40, 56-34. They currently share the lead in the standings with UV’s under-16 squad, which beat both SHS-AdC 2 and Lucky 40, by the scores of 66-27 and 95-20, respectively.
The top two of each group move on to the crossover semifinals for the playoffs. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio