Lamonte’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts USLS to Semifinals in 4th Chairman’s Cup

In a thrilling finish at the Msgr. John Liu Activity Center in Bacolod, John Carl Lamonte sank a buzzer-beating jumper from the free-throw line to lift the University of St. La Salle (USLS) to a dramatic 53–51 victory over the Talisay Sharks, securing their place in the semifinals of the 17 and Under Division in the 4th Chairman’s Cup Negros.

The Sharks came out firing, winning the opening quarter 14–9 behind strong starts from John Joseph Gerardo and Klyde Malaga. However, USLS turned the tide in the second quarter with an 8-point explosion from John Paul Cabayao and 5 points from Lamonte, giving them a slim 30–28 lead at halftime.

USLS maintained momentum in the third, entering the final quarter ahead 43–40. Despite a fourth-quarter surge from Malaga, who hit three consecutive three-pointers to score 9 of his game-high 18 points, the Sharks struggled to find additional offensive help. With time winding down, USLS capitalized on a broken play, and Lamonte rose to the occasion with the game-winning shot that sealed the deal.

Lamonte, named Joshbianc Player of the Game, led USLS with 14 points, followed by Cabayao with 10 and Luis Lirazan with 8. Malaga’s 18 and Gerardo’s 13 paced the Sharks in a valiant effort.

Colegio de San Agustin Bacolod (CSAB) outlasted the Spartans, 67–56, with 12 players contributing. Raishem Neil Rojas led CSAB with 15 points, Dave Parojinog added 9, and Yaji Kasak had 8. Mackie Abdon powered the Spartans with 21 points—all from three-point range—while Noah Benedict Taronas added 16.

St. Sebastian International School (SSIS) defeated the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), 67–49. Shaun Estocado exploded for 26 points, while John Derick Santos and Sam Hady Ashour contributed 14 and 8, respectively. Micko John Villarosa (16) and Leanne Garde (14) led UNO-R.

15U Division Highlights

SP Lineage St. Joseph School–La Salle clinched the top seed in Bracket A after routing TSIDKENU, 74–40. Leading scorers included Jan Christoff Arcega (16 pts), Sean Amahan (11), Breille Biocon (10), Ziean Ken Panisales (9), and Tristram Plotria (8).

Acster/Bacolod Tay Tung High School (BTTHS) overwhelmed UNO-R, 88–27. Acster Player of the game Acster Ken Panisales led all scorers with 22 points, with strong support from Ziel Baring and Seth Guarino (11 each), James Carlo Ramos (10), and Francis Alcoran (8). Kobe Antonio led UNO-R with 11.

Bacolod Trinity Christian School (BTCS) improved to 3–1 with a 94–77 win over Nonoy’s. BTCS saw balanced scoring from Small Sto. Tomas (16), Kevin Alub (15), Zijan Gapol (13), Shane Julian and Zamoraga (12 each), and Michael Vizcarra (8). Christian Apil-Apil led Nonoy’s with 25 points, including six triples.

RGG Farms also improved to 3–1 after a dominant 88–53 win against USLS. Nicus Robert Calma paced RGG with 24 points, supported byJigoro Kevin Severino (16), Monjo Silvestre (11), and Chad Amielle Ledesma and Richzmar Chloe Samorillo (8 each). USLS was led by Leon Leonero (18), JD Lamonte (12), and James Garcia (10).* (Stephen Tan via Cyrus Garde)

• Knockout Semifinals Schedule – Saturday, May 18, 2025 at Willy and Nolita Au Court (BTTHS Campus)
7:30 AM – Acster BTTHS vs University of St. La Salle (17U)
9:00 AM – Bobcats vs Bracket A No. 2 (15U)
10:30 AM – CSAB vs St. Sebastian International School (17U)
12:00 NN – SP Lineage SJS–La Salle vs BTTHS (15U)