Lourdes School of Quezon City and University of Santo Tomas (UST) leaned on their Most Valuable Players to capture their respective crowns in the BEST Center’s Small Basketeers Philippines (SBP) and Passerelle twin tournaments over the weekend at the Claret School gym over the weekend.

Miguel Joaquin Liao scored 14 points for Lourdes School as the Mandaluyong dribblers scuttled La Salle College-Antipolo, 66-54, for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas trophy.

Liao was also adjudged Most Valuable Player (MVP) despite being outscored by George Lucas Asprec, his La Salle rival who ended up the best player of the championship match with 16 points.

Isaiah David Regala, meanwhile, fired 13 points in an MVP-clinching performance that powered UST to the Paserelle championship at the expense of host Claret School, 69-40.

The BEST Center tournaments designed for aspiring young cagers were held in honor of its late founder Nicanor Jorge, a former national coach whose birthday is to be celebrated by his family and friends on 27 November.