THE University of the Visayas (UV) added another trophy to their collection after winning the Under-15 title in the Cebu Youth Basketball League (CYBL) preseason tournament.

UV defeated the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC), 55-43, in the Under-15 championship game on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at the SHS-AdC’s Mango Ave. campus gym.

UV toughened up its act in the final period as Brian Santhony Toring, Denisvee Ryan Sinoy and Lawrence Petchan connived in a 17-3 blitz to turn a one-point deficit to a 53-40 advantage with 1:05 left to play.

Lawrence Petchan led the way for UV with 12 points, while Franc Gabunada contributed 11 points.

This was UV’s second title in the CYBL preseason tournament following the triumph of the Under-12 team last July 13.

SHS-AdC started the game strong with a 12-8 lead after the opening period but UV responded in the second quarter to take a 25-20 edge at halftime.

The game saw a nip-and-tuck affair after the break with UV leading only by one, 34-33, at the end of the third period. UV seized full control in the fourth period en route to the 12-point win.

Joash Cutamora was the lone bright spot for SHS-AdC with nine points.

In the Under-18 division, the Batang Mandaragat pulled off a come-from-behind win over the Sisters of Mary School (SMS-Boystown) Aloysians, 61-55, in the semifinals.

Patrick Ayag and James Llenes anchored the rally to knot the game at 55-all with two minutes left to play. Batang Mandaragat did not let down from there to come away with the six-point win.

Ayag and Allen Augusto scored 18 points each for the winning team, while Jame Llenes was equally impressive with 16 points, all scored in the second half.

Cee-Jay Gonzales exploded for 26 points with seven triples in a losing effort for the SMS-Boystown.

The Batang Mandaragat will face the winner of the semifinals showdown between the Southwestern University-Phinma and the Mt. Olives School of the Philippines. RSC