PHILIPPINE Military Academy (PMA) Cavaliers bucked a double digit deficit to surprise Saint Louis University (SLU) Navigators while defending champion University of the Cordilleras (UC) Jaguars cruised past Benguet State University (BSU) Wildcats to open their bid in men’s basketball of the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League.
The Cavaliers leaned on John Vincent Manalo’s scoring outburst to open their campaign in the 32nd season on a high note with a 91-78 triumph against the Navigators Sunday afternoon at the UC gym.
Manalo fired a game high 37 points, including five from beyond the arc to overcome a 14 point deficit early in the second period while Aaron Nathaniel Torres added 18 as Alfons Jhon Tumanda chipped in 12.
After enjoying a 10–4 lead midway in the opening canto, PMA bungled the lead as SLU came charging back to life and enjoyed a 12 point, 18–32 advantage with 8:08 remaining in the second period.
Down by six going into the third period, 40–46, PMA tied the ball game at 58 all at the close of the quarter with Manalo and Tumanda conspiring for 10 and 11 points at the turn of the pay off period.
From then on, the Cavaliers punctuated a 21–2 run courtesy of the hot handed Manalo thwarting every Navigators run.
Shawn Aquisay top scored for the Navigators with 27 markers as Jed Aione Barrientos came up with 10 while Joshua Ong added eight points.
Meanwhile, UC Jaguars are off to another strong start, finishing of hapless BSU wildcats, 134–65 to open their grand slam bid in BBEAL’s centerpiece tournament.
Daniel Tabangcura fired a game high 27 points with seven triples with Chester Elefante and Jhune Ric Buenaventura chipping in 16 apiece. (Roderick Osis)