Desiderio leads UV to advance to the final

Friday, January 27, 2012

ANDRES Paul Desiderio was not named the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. high school MVP for nothing.

The 5’10” shooting guard from Lilo-an town mocked the defense of Metro Manila’s best paserelle team, University of Santo Tomas, to lead the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers to victory, 84-78, in their knockout semifinal of the 2012 Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) National U-16 Championships yesterday at the University of Baguio gym.

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Desiderio exploded with 33 points as UV took the first slot to the finals following a forceful 84-78 victory over the Baby Tigers.

UV will play the winner of the other semifinal match between St. John Institute of Bacolod City and Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori of Cagayan de Oro City, which was still being played as of press time yesterday.

UV lived up to its lofty billing in the 10-team tournament participated by top U-16 schools in the country, despite being picked as the dark horse to UST, host University of Baguio and Davao City’s Holy Cross College.

UV coaching staff led by Kenneth Pepito, Randy de la Pisa and Jaymar Canoy are expecting to draw another tough time against the winners of the other semifinal game but after sailing past UST, the chances of winning the title are bigger.

The Baby Lancers lost its opening game to St. John via 98-91 in overtime.