LACK of practice did not stop the Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Blue Knights from winning the Best Center SBP Passarelle Twin Tournament 2018 small basketeers Philippines division championship title last Saturday, August 11, at the New Lanzona covered court in Matina, Davao City.
The Blue Knights added another feather to its cap by surviving past the University of Immaculate Concepcion (UIC), 64-62, in the finals to book a seat in the regional finals set in October in Cagayan de Oro City.
"This really means a lot to us because unlike the previous years where we were hailed as the heavy favorites, this year we are considered the underdogs," Ateneo coach Harry Hipolito said, adding that UIC was the top seed.
The Blue Knights players were busy with school examinations, limiting their time in training.
"The road was very hard because apart from the exams, we also had to battle injuries and mental breakdowns by my young players and so it was extra hard for us to win this year," he added.
The Blue Knights, led by most valuable player (MVP) Samuel Nathan Torres, was also bannered by Andre Joshua Cayoca, Alex Christian Almario, Brent Carlo Baptista, Heaven Pigar; Jose Julio L. Garcia, IV, Julian Joaquin Garcia, John Paul Vincent Lantajo, Angelo James Jesuro, Tristan Raphael Bibay, Eio Julianne Rosco, Theodore Emmanuel Zamora, Al-Zaki Ameer Sangki, Jalf Pitulan and Abram Amaneo.
Ateneo will be pitted against Cagayan de Oro City and Zamboanga City champions in the regionals.