The Cordillera Career Development College Admirals unleashed a lethal offensive showcase in the second half to pull away from the Saint Louis University Navigators, securing an 85-69 victory in the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League men’s basketball elimination round on Monday at the SLU Prince Bernhard Gym.
Remz Jornacion spearheaded the Admirals’ attack with 21 points, while Daniel Day Perez and John Mar Cabradilla chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively, to lift CCDC past a resilient Navigators squad.
The opening quarter developed into a tight, back-and-forth battle as both sides trade baskets from beyond the three point line.
SLU took an initial spark from Salvador Franz Aquino, who knocked down three 3-pointers to push the Navigators ahead 13-9.
CCDC answered to reclaim the lead, but late perimeter strikes from Kazi Theodore Sta. Maria and Aquino kept SLU ahead, 23-20, at the end of the first period.
CCDC swung the momentum in the second quarter, leveling the game at 28-all off a triple by Arjay Contaoi before launching a run to build a 33-28 lead and never looked back heading into halftimw with a 47-40 advantage.
SLU stayed within striking distance during the third quarter behind Carl Emmanuel Velasquez’s long-range shooting and key baskets from Vence Nycum.
However, back-to-back scoring plays by Aaron Nang-is in the final minute helped CCDC maintain a 63-54 cushion entering the final quarter.
The Admirals broke the game open in the fourth.
Following a 3-pointer from Cabradilla and free throws by Paolo Boado and Kevin James Dela Cruz, the Admirals extended the lead to 74-59 midway through the quarter.
Jornacion then completed a three-point play at the 4:07 mark to extend the margin to 77-59, effectively sealing the game despite a late three-point play from Nycum.
Aquino paced SLU in the loss with a game-high 27 points, including seven 3-pointers, while Nycum added 19 points and Sta. Maria scored eight.
CCDC head coach Felix Manuel expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance despite SLU’s early hot shooting from the three point area.
“Expected namin na titira sa labas si Aquino at si Sta. Maria kaya nag full pressure kami sa depensa,” said Manuel.
Manuel added that the team must remain focused and fully prepared as they gear up for their upcoming match against the University of Baguio. Roderick Osis
