Cordillera Career Development College got the revenge it waited an entire year, knocking off defending champion University of Baguio, 78-75, in a clash of unbeatens in the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League Season 37 men’s basketball tournament at the SLU Prince Bernhard Gym on Thursday.
Fueled by the lingering sting of that championship loss, CCDC Admirals channeled its frustration into a relentless performance to hand the Cardinals their first setback of the year and keep its own record spotless at 7-0.
Renz Jornacion led the charge for the Admirals, scoring a game-high 24 points, including the dagger basket with 56 seconds remaining that secured the three-point cushion and sealed UB’s fate.
The intense rivalry was on full display from the opening tip as both squads traded baskets.
CCDC capitalized on an 8-0 late run in the first quarter behind Jornacion to build a 29-23 lead, but UB fought back in the second frame, briefly reclaiming the lead at 36-35 on a Yzsr Palispis basket before CCDC took a 51-48 advantage into halftime.
While the Admirals may have earned the upperhand in their first meeting this season Admirals head coach Felix Manuel Jr. said the task is not yet done as the team looks forward to hoisting their fifth title over-all.
“I asked sa lahat na dapat mag step up. Lahat sila minomotivate ko mapa opensa or depensa para talunin ang UB,” Manuel said.
UB threatened to derail CCDC’s revenge bid in the third period when Shane Sison, who poured in a team-high 26 points, and Dion Ortaleza pushed the Cardinals ahead, 60-56.
The Admirals answered immediately with back-to-back scoring possessions from Jornacion to tie the game at 60, before Leonard Vasadre hit a jumper with 40 seconds left to give CCDC a 67-64 edge.
Sison beat the third-quarter horn to pull UB within 67-66.
CCDC once again stretched its lead to 76-68 midway through the fourth period, but UB mounted one final charge.
Sison came up with a steal and split a pair of free throws with 2:37 remaining to trim the margin to 76-75, but Jornacion delivered in the final minute to shut the door.
Vasadre and Daniel Perez finished with nine points each for the Admirals, while Ortaleza and Palispis added 15 and 12 points, respectively, for the Cardinals, who is now 5-1 with one game remaining against the University of the Cordilleras Jaguars next week, Nov. 3. at the UC Gym set at 5:30 pm. Roderick Osis
