THE University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F) Baby Panthers stormed all the way back from a 15-point deficit to defeat the Sisters of Mary School (SMS)-Boystown, 77-69, and claim the title in the Cebu Youth Basketball League Under-18 finals at the USPF gym on Saturday, September 21, 2019.

Down 18-33 in the second canto, the Baby Panthers turned things around late in the third period with a 13-2 run presided over by Jose Ramon Achacoso, Kline Ochavo, John Gellego and Ian Capuyan to bring a 56-53 lead to the fourth period.

SMS-Boystown kept it close and pulled to within two, 66-68, after free-throws by Michael Carin with 2:35 to go but USPF pulled away behind baskets by Achacoso, Gellego and Grant Saberon, whose deuce gave the Baby Panthers a 74-66 lead with just 28 seconds remaining.

Saberon led USPF with 16 points while Gellego and Ochavo had 15 markers apiece.

CJ Gonzales led SMS-Boystown in scoring with 23 points.

The next CYBL tournament, which would be done in partnership with the MVP Sports Foundation, will come off the wraps next month, and would feature the Under 18, 15, 12 and 10 age groups. (SunStar Cebu)