The University of the Cordilleras Jaguars and season 35 champion Cordillera Career Development College Admirals cruised to dominant blowout victories in the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League men’s basketball elimination round at the UC gymnasium on Saturday, Oct 10.
Five players scored in double figures as the Jaguars routed the Philippine Military Academy Cavaliers, 102-62, leaning on a blistering first-quarter start and a barrage of 3-pointers from Alexis Prado.
UC jumped to a 35-14 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back, extending its advantage to 82-40 by the end of the third period.
Junlor De Guzman paced the Jaguars with 16 points, while Prado added 15 points, entirely from beyond the arc.
“We just talked about having confidence and trusting our teammates,” UC head coach Mak Zapanta said. “We wanted to involve everyone on the floor. We don’t focus on two-man or three-man plays; everyone should be involved. Fortunately, Prado caught fire, which gave everyone the confidence to shoot. Our defense was also solid.”
Nerfie Japz Mariano contributed 14 points for UC, while John Austin Bayle and Maxximuz Carantes chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Cadet Jay-r Marqueses led PMA with 12 points, and Cadet Ryan Sanilo added 10.
Meanwhile, the CCDC Admirals demolished their La Trinidad neighbor Benguet State University Wildcats, 125-44.
CCDC held a 51-23 halftime lead before exploding for 50 points in the third quarter, establishing a massive 101-34 advantage heading into the final period.
Aaron Nang-is erupted for 24 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead the Admirals with Renz Jornacion adding 16 points and Ahmed Aduan chipping in 13.
Ritish Lal led the Wildcats with nine points, followed by Aljon Estillore with eight and Mark Paul Mendoza with seven. Roderick Osis
