BERKELEY School of Baguio outscored rival International School of Better Beginnings (ISBB) from Lucena City in the pay off period to reclaim the SBP title in the SBP-Passerelle Twin Tournament Luzon finals during the weekend.
Down by 15 in the pay off period, Berkeley outscored ISBB, 23-11, in the final canto to complete the come from behind victory, 55-54, at the Easter College Gym.
"Grabe and pusong pinakita ng mga bata, akala naming talon a talaga," said Russel Go, Best Center Sports Baguio coordinator.
Go added it was one of the sweetest victory for Berkeley in the Luzon finals who lost to the same squad in their first game during the two-day competition.
But Berkeley never lost steam winning against Pampanga titlist Holy Family Academy and Pangasinan representative Urdaneta I Central School to arrange a rematch against ISBB.
"The boys were able to recover from that loss against ISBB. Makita mo yung determination nila against Pampanga and Pangasinan," added Go.
Enzo Dionisio, the Baguio leg MVP scored the game winning basket with less than 15 seconds remaining after a 53-54 count, said the team was focused on making it to the national finals.
"Pinilit kong mashoot yung lay-up para Manalo at makapunta kami sa finals," Dionisio added.
Berkeley started strong, posting a 13-10 lead at the close of the opening canto but ISBB outscored the Baguio champion, 17-10 in the second period to enjoy a 23-27 advantage at half time.
ISBB then padded their lead to 11, 32-43, going into the pay off period.
Go said the lead even went up to as high as 15 but Berkeley slowly caught up and tied the ball game with less than a minute remaining.
"Our boys fought back and was determined. They showed their passion for the game and their perseverance as they pushed themselves to the limit in every offensive and defensive play," added Go.
Prior to winning the Luzon crown this year, Berkeley held the title for five consecutive years from 2013 to 2017 before yielding the championship to ISBB last year.
The team is composed of Dionisio, Angelo De Leon, JM Norial, Yuan Luceñara, Karl Kumalao, Bern Bandaay, Enzo Ngoslab, JR Piamonte, Huch Dominguez, DJ Que, Drei Catanglan, Zak De Ayre, Toby Tumbaga, Raph Alcantara, and John Dean Mencio with coaches Arky Go, Aldrin Flores, and Vrix Dulay.
Aside from the Luzon title, Berkeley bagged the 2019 SBP Sportsmanship Award and will represent Luzon in the national finals in Roxas City next month.
First-timer University of Baguio Science High School, meanwhile, was good for a decent second runner-up finish and also took home the 2019 Passerelle Sportsmanship Award. (Roderick Osis)