BAGUIO CITY – The best in Metro Manila, University of Tomas, holds no terror for the best in Cebu, University of Visayas.

UST meets UV and St. John Institute tangles with Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori today when the crossover semifinals of the SBP National Under-16 Basketball Championship starts at the University of Baguio gym.

The Baby Tigers face the Baby Lancers at 2:30 p.m. and Bacolod-entrenched St. John tests the Cagayan de Oro-based squad at 4 p.m.

Organizers, led by SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza, anticipate two no-holds-barred battles among virtually even teams.

“We will be witness to two great semifinal games,” said Atienza.

UST and Sacred Heart of Jesus ruled Group B, while UV and St. John nailed the first two slots in Group A.

“It’s a tough battle against UV. We have to stay focused and play tough defense because UV is a tough nut to crack,” said coach Allan Jake Ascue.

UST advanced to the semis by plastering St. Bridget School of Batangas, 80-32, at the close of the elimination

Ascue will rely on his top gunners led by Paulo Corre, Ryan Joseph Syyap, Alvin Baethiong, Thristan Edge Laman and John Roald Mayor against UV.

UV coach Kenneth Pepito admitted UST is strong, but the veteran mentor is unfazed with the fancied UST squad in their do-or-die encounter dubbed as the battle between Luzon and Visayas on the hardcourt.

“UST is a basketball power and a title contender. We are not bothered by their good credential. We came here to win and we will go for it,” said Pepito.

UV, home of current and former PBA players, will be spearheaded by Gerald Fernandez, Sheldon Marlon Andre Gahi, John Nigile King, Prince Liton Canete and Andres Paul Desiderio.

St. Clare, a team from Caloocan, won the women title in the national grassroots tournament presented by Summit Mineral Water and supported by Energen Nutrition Milk and Cereal, Philex Mining, Molten and the MVP Sports Foundation.