USPF stuns USC North in CYBL U15

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation stunned University of San Carlos North, 61-57, in overtime in a Division 1 Under 15 game of the Cebu Youth Basketball League at the Sacred Heart School Mango Avenue campus over the weekend.

The win enabled USPF to grab the top spot of Group A going into the playoffs next week.

USC North led for the first two quarters, 20-13 and 29-27. USPF recovered to take the lead at the end of the third period, 40-36. It was a see-saw battle in the fourth period with both sides exchanging baskets until the end. Kyle Ochavo of USPF and Jericho Deloria of USC North had the last exchange of baskets of regulation for a 53-all stand-off. In overtime, Byron Lawton had four of the team’s eight points while shutting down USC North to only four points to seal the win. Lawton led USPF with 20 points. Francis Tongco added 11.

In Group B play held at the Sisters of Mary School Boystown in Minglanilla, SHS-Ateneo 1 outplayed the University of the Visayas, 61-53, to take the top spot. Marcus Fuentes and Tracy Dadang had 11 points apiece for the Magis Eagles who will now face USC North in the semifinals. Steve Nash Enriquez led UV with 15 points. They face USPF in the semifinals.

In the Under 12 Division 1 semifinals, Daniel Padilla had 16 points to lead leading UV to a 61-36 win over SMS-Boystown. In the last elimination round games of the division, SHS-Ateneo nipped Don Bosco, 64-62, while USJR ousted One on OneA, 81-19. SHS-Ateneo 1 and Don Bosco will face off anew in the semifinals to determine who will face UV in the finals. In Division 2 games, Monterey School of Talisay defeated ATS 1, 51-27.

In a quarterfinal round game of the Under 12 Division 2, SCSIT nipped SWU-PHINMA, 35-30, to make it to the semifinals.

The CYBL playoffs will be played this weekend in all age groups. The Under 10 team rankings are UV at the top, followed by Don Bosco, USC South, SACS, St. Benedict and One on One. In the Under 15 Division 2 rankings, CLBA is the top team, pursued by One on One-B, Labangon, Monterey, ATS 2 and UV-B. —

Rico Navarro, Columnist