University of Baguio Cardinals survived a late rally from defending champion Cordillera Career Development College Admirals, and secure a 91 – 88 victory in men’s basketball of the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League Season 36 at the UC gym Thursday afternoon.
The Cardinals bucked a slow start, overcame a double digit deficit at the end of the first quarter then buckled down to work in the second half, erect a 12 – point advantage midway in the fourth period and come out on top of their first meeting since squaring off for the crown during season 35.
UB was on top, 82 – 70, with 4:05 remaining when the Admirals mounted an 18 – 7 run courtesy of Paolo Boado who nailed three treys and another from Leomar Vasadre as CCDC came to within one, 89 – 88, with 35 seconds remaining in the ball game.
Kevin Binalay and Shane Sison meanwhile sanked their free throws in the dying seconds of the ball game to secure the win for the Cardinals as it seek to end the two – year reign of the Admirals.
“Marami pa rin kaming naging lapses. Madami pang dapat gawing adjustments,” summed UB Cardinals head coach Kevin Orduna.
Binalay topscored for the Cardinals with 21 points, 12 coming form beyond the arc, while Sison added 17 markers.
Three more Cardinals scored in double digit with Jay De Guzman chipping in 14 while Yzyr Palispis and Herald Sanchez added 13 and 12 points respectively.
Renz Jornacion of the Admirals meanwhile had a game high 25 points while Vasadre added 19 as Boado chipped in 16 markers.
The Cardinals were enjoying an eight point lead, 72 – 64 with seven minutes remaining in the ball game when a nearl free – for – all broke out after a loose ball leading to the ejection of Joey Manantan for posturing a fight and will be metted a one game suspension.
“Malaking bagay yung pagkawala ni Manantan sa fourth quarter tapos late din pumasok yung mga tira namin sa three points,” said CCDC coach Manuel Felix Jr.
Jornacion towed the Admirals to a hot start, 6 – 14, enroute to a 13 – 24 advantage at the close of the opening canto.
However, the Cardinals fought back and tied the ball game at 31 all courtesy of De Guzman who nailed his two free throws with 4:10 minutes left in the second period.
By halftime, UB was only staring at a one point deficit, 43 – 44, then outscored the Admirals in the third canto, 26 – 16, to enjoy a 69 – 60 lead going into the final 10 minutes of the ball game. Roderick Osis
UB Cardinals clip CCDC Admirals in BBEAL thriller
