BENEDICTO College (BC) and the University of the Visayas (UV) earned their spots in the championship round of the 2026 Bulacao Sinulog Cup Inter-Collegiate Invitational after winning their final elimination games.
The defending champion BC Cheetahs completed a perfect elimination round after edging the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 68–65, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Bulacao Sports Complex in Talisay City.
With the win, Benedicto finished with a 3–0 record. The loss dropped UC to 1–2 and ended its chances of reaching the finals.
UV secured the other finals spot after a dominant 108–55 victory over the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors.
As of press time Thursday night, Benedicto and UV were playing for the championship, while UC and USC were battling for third place.
Earlier in the elimination round, Benedicto defeated UV, 78–72, in an exciting overtime game.
Last year, UV failed to reach the finals after being eliminated by UC in the elimination round.
Against USC, UV quickly showed its strength. The Green Lancers built a 35–20 lead in the second quarter and stayed in control for the rest of the game.
Winston Bingil led UV with 26 points, while King Orcollo added 10 points.
Benedicto, meanwhile, had a tougher game against UC. The Cheetahs trailed by 18 points in the first half but slowly cut the lead in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Den Rick Orgong and Serge Grabinez helped Benedicto take control and secure the win.
Orgong led Benedicto with 24 points. / JBM