Monday, September 24, 2007 Near fracas mars UNO-R, USLS battle By Henry C. Villalva
A TECHNICAL snag that caused the electronic shot clock to malfunction plus a bench-emptying incident that almost led to a free-for-all spoiled what was otherwise an exciting men’s basketball opening match between University of St. La Salle and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Sunday night at the St. La Salle Coliseum.
UNOR was ahead, 51-45, at the end of the third canto but La Salle guard Arrom Aledron, who topscored for Coach Troy Sarabia’s charges with 17 points on top of 8 assists, buried a trey barely a minute into the final quarter bringing La Salle closer, 51-48, and things started to heat up.
The veteran playmaker then scored again later on a follow-up after missing two free throws for a 59-53 tally with 6:52 remaining.
Then a delay in the game ensued when the Recoletos bench questioned why a La Salle player who was called for five personal fouls still remained on court for several minutes with UNOR coach Ireneo Morales asking for a technical foul to be slapped on USLS which the La Salle bench also questioned arguing that it was not their fault but that of the officiating officials who failed to send off said La Salle player.
The problem was solved when tournament manager Malot Lozada stepped in and prevailed upon Sarabia to agree to the officials’ decision and get on with the game.
UNOR went on to wrap up the game, 72-68, after leading at the half, 34-25.
Alwyn Elinon finished with a game-high 26 points for UNOR.
Meanwhile, reigning champion West Negros College Mustangs kicked off their title-retention bid via a 147-24 demolition of tournament newcomer ABE International Business College Sunday at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center (NOMPAC).
Collegiate basketball hostilities are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, September 25, at the West Negros College Gym with UNOR taking on the Colegio San
Agustin-Bacolod Eagles at 2:30 p.m. followed by the match between CEDAR Computer College and the WNC Mustangs at 4:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, September 26, the USLS Stingers face the WNC Mustangs in a 5:30 p.m. match-up at NOMPAC following the 4:00 p.m. match between UNOR and CEDAR and the ABE Intl vs. CSAB clash at 2:30 p.m.
