BAGUIO CITY – University of Visayas blew out Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori, 120-75, in an anti-climatic final game yesterday to capture the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas National Under 16 basketball championship at the University of Baguio gym.

UV top gun Andres Paul Desiderio unloaded 36 points, grabbed seven rebounds and issued four assists, Leonard Santillan added 23, Ralph Jude Dinolan 20, and Gerald Fernandez 11 points.

“Talagang nag-step up ang mga bata. Naglaro nang husto dahil gustong manalo. Sa kanila ito,” said coach Jaymar Canoy. “Ang akala ko nga matatanggal na kami noon dahil talo agad. Buti naka-recover.”

After shocking National Capital Region bet University of Santo Tomas, 93-87, in the semifinals, the Baby Lancers primed themselves up for a titanic clash with Sacred Heart of Cagayan de Oro, which ousted St. John Institute, 85-72, in the other Final Four matchup.

But following a close first quarter, UV seized control and never let go, cruising the rest of the way in the nationwide grassroots development tournament presented by Summit Mineral Water and supported by Energen Nutrition Milk and Cereal, Philex Mining, Molten and the MVP Sports Foundation

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, in Manila on personal matter, paid tribute to the Baby Lancers.

“A great learning institution from Cebu and a great basketball power, my congratulations to UV,” said Barrios, who bared that two more SBP tourneys — a 3-on-3 and an Under-18, both nationwide — are up next.

In the battle for third place, UST whipped Bacolod-based St. John institute, 85-72.

Red-hot UV, which entered the crossover semis via the quotient system, led by as many as 37 points, 80-43, holding in awe in the icy-cold venue a crowd of 3,000, including former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, who presented the championship trophy.

Coseteng was assisted by SBP regional director Christian Anthony Bautista, SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza, and SBP Area 2 head Danny Soria. UV also received a P30,000 donation from SBP president and PLDT-Smart chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

UV shared honors with St. Clare which ruled the girls division earlier.


The scores

UST (85) — Reyes 21, Marcelo 19, Ramirez 13, Baethiong 9, Mayor 8, Laman 6, Garcia 6, Corre 3.

ST. JOHN (72) — Sian 18, Go 15, Montalbo 15, Arroyo 15, Dusaban 14, Montinola 4, Jison 4, Montoya 1, Ducay 1.

Quarterscores: 10-17, 40-31, 64-50, 85-72


UV (120) — Desiderio 36, Santillan 23, Dinolan 20, Fernandez 11, Gahi 9, Escalona 9, Flores 6, Tenebroso 6, Canete 4.

SACRED HEART (75) — Agusan 21, Marata 12, Murillo 12, Baltazar 11, Antonio 8, Fabiana 6, Gachapin 5.

Quarterscores: 28-22, 66-39, 88-54, 120-75.