The University of Baguio Cardinals outscored Saint Louis University Navigators 21 – 6 in the final seven minutes of the ball game to eke out a 74 – 59 victory in men’s basketball of the ongoing Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League Season 36.
Jushrylle De Vera towed the Cardinals in that fourth quarter run and scored 11 of his 13 points in the final canto for its fifth win in as many games.
“Nung sinabi ni coach na it’s my time to shine and kaya ko, nagawa po namin yung mga plays,” said De Vera.
From a 0 – 3 start, the Cardinals made a quick turn around with a 13 – 0 run capped by a steal from Kevin Binnalay for a 13 – 3 count with 6:35 left in the first quarter.
With both teams struggling to score in the next two minutes, SLU’s Aethan Paguio then pulled up for a three to break the scoring drought and make it a 13 – 6 ball game in the 4:40 minute mark of the first canto.
After trailing 20 – 14 at the start of the second quarter, the Navigators showed their never say die spirit and retake the lead at halftime, 32 – 33, courtesy of a triple from Angelo Cacho.
Both teams would retake the lead after the other with SLU enjoying a 40 – 45 lead with 3:15 remaining in the third but UB then climbed back on top of the ladder to reclaim a 49 – 45 advantage with 1: 38 left.
SLU then stormed back with a 4 – 0 run to tie the ballgame at the end of the third period.
Paguio then upped SLU’s lead at 49 – 53 with 8:24 remaining in the pay – off canto.
Shane Sison and De Vera then conspired for the Cardinals that tied the ball game at 53 all, then it was all UB on the offensive end as it led the ball game at 63 – 55 in under four minutes of the ball game.
“Good job pa rin sa SLU dahil nung nag adjust sila sa depensa (2-3), dun nag slowdown yung game namin kaya yun siguro yung mga kailangan naming i-workout sa mga succeeding games namin. We started strong, slowed down a little bit pero we still finished strong kaya kudos sa team,” said coach Kevin Orduna.
Orduna also attributed the team’s unselfish plays and unrelentless defense that sealed them the win against one of the possible final four contenders in the league.
“Wala namang super star sa team pero nakita naman natin mostly yung defense natin, specially yung box out, yun yung pinaka highlight ng fourth quarter kaya natin na control yung game,” added Orduna.
Herald Sanchez topscored for the Cardinals with 16 while John Espinosa had 10 as Jay De Guzman chipped in nine and Sison adding seven.
SLU meanwhile was led by Cacho with 16 while Paguio added 10. Roderick Osis