Still stinging from their finals loss to the University of Baguio last season, the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals are playing like a team on a mission to reclaim the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) men’s basketball crown.
Their latest statement was a ruthless 127-63 dismantling of the Baguio College of Technology (BCT) Atoms following their 94-41 dismantling of the Philippine Military Academy Cavaliers, a back-to-back victory fueled by a grueling offseason designed specifically for a title run.
To prepare for their redemption campaign, the Admirals tested their mettle in a tournament in Tubao, La Union, going toe-to-toe with former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) players.
That high-level exposure is already paying dividends, teaching the squad how to communicate and defend under intense pressure, according to CCDC team captain Renz Jornacion.
“It was a good exposure for the team. It gave us confidence during the game kaya nagagawa namin yung sistema,” Jornacion said.
That battle-tested confidence translated into an absolute rout right from the opening tip.
Executing their trapping defense flawlessly, the Admirals raced to a 9-0 lead just two minutes into the game. By the end of the first quarter, CCDC had already built a commanding 33-10 cushion.
The suffocating pressure continued in the second frame. A basket by Jornacion at the 7:20 mark extended the lead to 46-13, paving the way for a massive 69-25 advantage at the halftime break.
With the game well out of reach in the third quarter, CCDC showcased its perimeter firepower. Aaron Nang-is caught fire, sinking a 3-pointer at the 5:02 mark to make it 89-35, and burying another triple barely a minute later to push the gap to 92-37.
Nang-is finished with14 points on four triples while John Mar Cabradilla had team high of 18 markers to lead the Admirals while Arjay Cantaoi also added14.
Jornacion added that despite the blowout victory, the team still needs to improve its defense and communication.
“Kailangan ma-improve namin yung trapping defense namin tsaka yung communication namin sa loob ng court,” Jornacion said.
The Admirals breached the century mark before the third period expired, taking a staggering 102-44 lead into the final frame. CCDC then emptied its bench in the fourth quarter to comfortably seal the 64-point blowout.
Jeff Bringas led the charge for Atoms with 17 points while David Wilfredo had 14 as the season host fell to 0-2. Roderick Osis
