THE University of Baguio (UB) Cardinals repulsed the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals, 81-71, at the latter's home court Tuesday afternoon, November 5, to sweep the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) season 33 men's basketball competition.
The Cardinals claimed its eighth straight victory of the season and gained an outright finals seat as rookie Bheniedick Lozano led the charge with a team high 21 points, including nine from beyond the arc.
Claude Leymark Camit added 19, while Efren Dela Cruz and Vince Ahron Sibbaluca chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The Admirals started strong, gaining a six point lead in the opening canto until the Cardinals gained composure.
Dela Cruz banked three straight points to tie the game at 14 at the end of the first canto.
The Cardinals then found their tempo in the second canto with Camit, Sibbalucca, Lozano and Dela Cruz's conspiring to extend the lead to seven, closing the first half with a 40-33 advantage.
The Admirals, this year's season host, however, will not go down without a fight as Jamil Remiendo scored the last five points for CCDCD to steal the lead at 55-58 in the third period.
Bran Graviles then banked a 2-pointer to extend the Admirals lead to five at the close of the third quarter, 55-60.
The Cardinals clawed their way back in the ball game as Lozano took charge to tie the ball game at 62 all early in the pay off period as they outscored the Admirals in the final canto, 26 to 11 capped by a slam dunk from Sibbaluca in the waning seconds of the ball game.
Despite their impressive win, UB Cardinals coach Joel Flores told his team not to relax.
"Malakas talaga itong CCCDC kasi tinalo nila kami minsan sa Chesaa so alam na namin kung paano sila mag laro. Kaya yung mga bata naming medyo may trauma konti kaya alanganin yong galaw pero at least na overcome naming," he said.
Flores added the Cardinals need to stay mentally focus in their bid to retain the men's basketball crown.
CCDC Admirals coach Jun Rimando, meanwhile, remains optimistic despite the loss.
"Okay naman ang laro ng mga bata. Ang problema lang namin eh young adjustment. Pero same pa rin ang scenario kung nanalo kami kalaro naming ang UC, twice to beat sila. Pero ngayong natalo kami, lalaruin naming ang BCT on November 7 tapos susunod naman ang UC. Kapag natalo naming young dalawang yon papasok rin kami sa championship. Sila (UB) parin ang makaka harap namin," Rimando said.
Remiendo topbilled for the Admirals with his 19 markers, 12 in the third canto, while Neil Ralp Ulep and Bran Graviles added 17 and 12 points each.
The Admirals will finish the elimination with a 5-3 win loss record and will face third seed Baguio College of Technology Atoms who has the same 5-3 win loss card, Thursday afternoon, also at the CCDC gym.
The winner will advance to the next step ladder and will take on second seeded University of the Cordilleras Jaguars who has a twice to beat edge.