Cebu teams UV, USC claim crowns in Visayas Regional Finals of Milo Best twin tourney

The University of the Visayas (UV) and the University of San Carlos (USC) made Cebu proud as they claimed the championships in the Passerelle and the Small Basketeers of the Philippines (SBP) divisions, respectively, at the close of the Visayas Regional Finals of the 2012 Milo-backed Best Twin Tournament last Sunday in Iloilo City.

UV, accompanied by team manager and the school’s assistant vice president for finance and administration Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, routed the Ateneo de Iloilo, 51-37, while USC stood tall against St. John’s Institute of Bacolod, 49-44, to earn for themselves slots to the national finals next month.

The Baby Warriors were made to sweat for their crown as they only had 14 players in their roster.

They led, 36-27, after three periods but fell prey to a 10-0 run by St. John’s at the start of the payoff canto to fall behind, 36-37.

But USC persevered and retaliated with an 11-2 blast of its own to grab a 47-39 lead with just two minutes left in the game.  Carlo Jovellanos and Neon Chavez were the catalysts of that rally as they combined for 10 points in that run.

Jovellanos ended up with 15 points to lead the way while Chavez and Joshua Enriquez added nine markers each.

In the Passerelle division finals, UV leaned on a monster third quarter to settle the outcome of the game early.

Up 27-19 after at halftime, UV turned up the level with a big third quarter, outscoring the hosts, 20-4, for a comfortable 47-23 lead.

Both teams will represent the Visayas in the national finals of the tournament sponsored by Milo.