CEBU squads University of the Visayas and University of San Carlos earned slots in the national finals after topping the Visayas leg of the Milo-backed Basketball Efficiency Scientific Training (BEST) Center at Iloilo Sports Complex covered court in Iloilo City over the weekend.
The UV Baby Lancers banked on a huge third-quarter tear to down Ateneo de Iloilo Blue Dragons, 51-37, and capture the crown in the Passerelle division (12-14 age group).
Neon Aleikem Chavez, Carl Jericho Jovellanos and Clint Octaviano came through in the clutch as the USC Warriors nipped St. John’s Institute Falcons of Bacolod, 49-44, and rule the Small Basketeers Philippines division (9-11 years).
The national finals is set from Dec. 1 to 3 in Roxas City.
“We will have a new champion this year because last year’s champions Ateneo de Cebu (Passerelle) and Lourdes School of Mandaluyong (SBP) failed to qualify in the finals,” said BEST Center founder Nic Jorge.
Waiting for UV in the Pass-erelle finals are the other regional titlists—Holy Angel U of Angeles (Luzon), Holy Child School of Davao (Mindanao) and La Salle Green Hills (NCR).
USC, meanwhile, will face Don Bosco of Pampanga (Luzon), LSGH (NCR) and Ateneo de Davao (Mindanao) in the SBP national finals. Jasmine W. Payo