IN MANILA, Ateneo lorded it over the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines, beating rival La Salle.
Their roles were reversed in Cebu.
La Salle Greenhills and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) fought for the title in the 32nd SBP Passerelle Twin Tournament National Finals at the Cebu Coliseum.
This time, La Salle Greenhills held off the SHS-AdC in the championship game, 66-51, to clinch a three-peat.
Lorenzo Bryan Competente had 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead La Salle Greenhills. James Yuang Ison handed 11 points and Mark Andrew Carganilla added nine points with six rebounds and four assists.
The host team SHS-AdC gave its valiant effort behind Jared Bahay and Stephen Joash Cutamora. Bahay had an all-around game with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a couple of steal.
Cutamora top scored for SHS-AdC with 15 points and nine rebounds.
“We’re super happy on the three-peat, all the hard works and selfless attitude of the kids have paid off. Ito yung bunga nang ginawa namin,” La Salle Greenhills coach Justin Tan told SunStar Cebu after the game.
La Salle Greenhills had a solid start as they torched the host team SHS-AdC spiked by the six consecutive points from Competente before the quarter ended with a 23-9 score.
Bahay single-handedly carried the scoring load for SHS-AdC in the second frame, finishing with 11 points, while the players of La Salle Greenhills fired in all cylinders led by Ison. The La Salle Greenhills had a 22 point lead, 42-20, at the half.
The SHS-AdC got its bearing back in the fourth quarter with a trey from Renzo Keanne Zanoria to cut down the lead to 13, 34-51. It was the closest that SHS-AdC could get before La Salle Greenhills’ Competente and Ison scored four consecutive points to close the game, 66-51.
“The kids gave a good fight. I’m satisfied with the team’s performance despite na nag start mi sa training pag June lang,” said SHS-AdC head coach Helben Regodon.
“The kids showed heart. I’m happy with their performance. This is our first national finals for our SBP team since 2010,” added Regodon. (RSC)