Jaguars ready to roar in regional Champs League

DEFENSE will be the University of the Cordilleras Jaguars main weapon as the team guns for a Sweet 16 berth in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League North-Central Luzon qualifier slated November 3-6 in La Union.

But this will all boil down to how they counter all game plans by the participating schools from all over northern and central Luzon in the four day event to be held at the Pacoy Ortega gym.

“Depensa lang talaga ang kailangan namin saka namin kukunin yung opensa ng team,” said coach Haynes Acdong of the UC Jaguars.

Acdong is pinning his hopes on his souped up line up and the team’s overall speed against taller opponents from La Union, Pangasinan, and Ilocos.

The Jaguars will also lean on veteran playmaker Leilmar Garcia, the sweet shooting JP Juralbal, backup guards Andrew Payas and Ryan Tumanan together with the towering defense of Chad Russell Villanueva and Jopson Dail.

BBEAL’s reigning men’s titlist, after being booted out early in the qualifiers, will try to better their performance this time as they seek a spot in the country’s top 16 schools.

“Ngayong taon nakikita ko na may chances kaming makapsok sa Sweet 16,” added Acdong.

Champions coming from Schools Colleges Universities Athletic Association - Ilocos, Universities and Colleges Athletic Association of Pangasinan and Student Body Organization Athletic Association - La Union will be battling a berth in the national finals.

The rookie coach added he still sees the team from La Union as their toughest opponent yet in the national collegiate basketball championship tournament in the Philippines sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the country's national basketball federation and organized by the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.