Tuesday, November 11, 2008 USJ-R, UC win, assured of semis slot in PCCL Zonals
THE University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) and University of Cebu (UC) started strong as they won their respective matches in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Zone 3 championships yesterday in Ormoc City.
The USJ-R Jaguars fulfilled their promise to get back at Bacolod City’s West Negros University, which bashed them in the University Games two weeks ago, with an 88-77 victory in the competition’s opening game Sunday night.
Yesterday morning, the UC Webmasters made short work of AMA-Ormoc, 101-60.
Although the two teams still need to battle two other teams each, they are already assured of slots to the crossover semifinals.
USJ-R was playing Bohol Institute of Technology, while UC was going against Letran at press time.
The USJ-R Jaguars vowed to avenge their University Games loss to WNU. At the University Games, the Jaguars enjoyed a strong start, before WNU ended their hopes for a medal.
Last Sunday, they wasted no time and made their commanding presence felt early in the game. Jabe Delfino, who led the scoring rampage for USJ-R with 17 points, said they were able to take control right from the tip off up until finish.
“We led all the way and managed to build a 23-point lead. We led by 12 points at halftime. Unlike in Dumaguete, we were the stronger team this time,” said Delfino, who came into the game confident of their chances since they now have big men Kurt Amores and Manny Gabas. The two were absent in the University Games.
Delfino asserted his leadership on the floor but also received ample help from the rest of the Jaguars, which had six players scoring in double digits. Jan Malinao and Luther Justiniani scattered 14 points each, while Armand Ponce had 13. Amores and Gabas added12 points each.
Meanwhile, UC Web–masters’ head coach Rhoel Gomez was able to field in his second stringers after finding themselves on the good side of a mismatched game.
Kim Gomez led the scoring for UC with 22 points, while Laurence Agas added 13 and Rommel Luceño added 12. Kevin Quilantang and Jansen Abella scored 11 each.
Only two teams in Zone 3 will get slots to the quarterfinals of the PCCL.
University of the Visayas is already assured of a slot to the PCCL for winning the Cesafi title. (MCB)
