Early favorites La Salle, Ateneo and San Beda made their presence felt at the start of the Milo-sponsored SBP-Passerelle twin basketball tournaments by posting easy victories recently at the Fr. Cortina gym at Xavier School.

Ateneo-A blasted St. Mary’s College, 97-9, for its first win to join Don Bosco Technical School, which beat La Salle-Greenhills B, 36-20, in the early lead of Group A of the Small Basketeers Philippines meet organized by the BEST Center (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Traning Center) La Salle-Greenhills A made up for its sister squad’s loss by thumping Ateneo-B, 67-20, to join San Beda-Alabang, which edged sister team San Beda College, 44-42, on top of Group B.

Cebu, Cobra in TOP finals
M. Lhuillier Cebu and host Cobra Energy Drink forged a title showdown after hurdling past their respective rivals on Friday in the seventh leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym.

The Ninos, who suffered a shock defeat the other day, vented their ire on Ani-FCA, 91-71, while the Ironmen leaned on another game-winning shot, this time by Elmer Espiritu with six seconds left to score a come-from-behind 63-61 win over Gensan.

Cobra actually trailed 61-55 with two minutes left but scored six unanswered points to tie the count then came though with a defensive gem tha paved the way for Espiritu’s game-winning basket. — Jonas Terrado