BCT Atoms shock defending champion UC

BAGUIO College of Technology finally put one against the defending champion University of the Cordilleras in their first meeting this year since being sweep by the Jaguars in two games.

The visiting Atoms stunned the Jaguars, 99 -95, at the UC gym Monday afternoon in the on - going men’s basketball of the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League season 31 for their fourth win in six games.

Four Atoms combined for 78 points led by bigman Armando Pollante who fired with a team high 24 while Azzir Rabara added 20 as Marben Asillio and Reynil Amargo chipped in 17 markers apiece while handing the Jaguars its first loss of the tournament in five starts.

“Maganda lang yung naging team-

work namin at tamang execution ng play. Pinanuod namin ang game ng UC at UB at inayos namin ang depensa,” said Pollante.

Atoms head coach Willy Antonio meanwhile said the team were able to get a chance to study UC’s offense and were able to broke their trapping defence and at the same time executed their plays.

“Nag zone defence kami and hindi na kami nag trap,” added Antonio.

BCT, seeking revenge in their titular showdown with UC in last year's finals early pressed on their offense enjoying a 28 - 18 lead at the opening canto.

UC however tried to salvage the ball game as it outscored its rival in the second period, 29-19, and tie the ball game at 47 after 20 minutes of action.

Pollante then rolled out 10 points in the first five minutes of the third canto but UC's Daniel Tabangcura caught fire from beyond the arc to put the Jaguars ahead by five, 57 - 67 with 5:21 remaining as the defending champion closed out the quarter on a high note and lead by three, 71 - 74.

The Jaguars were leading by nine, 88 79, going into the final 5:50 minute of the final frame when the Atoms went berserk and closed out the ball game on a searing 20 - 7 run to steal the ball game. “Naging kumpyansa kami noong unang quarter tapos nahirapan kami sa depensa nila,” said UC team captain Krenz Trinidad who finished the ball game with a game high 29 points while Tabangcura added 26 as Jhune Ric Buenaventura added 12

UC coach Alvin Santos meanwhile said they will take the loss in stride with his players having too much confidence going into the match – up.

“Breaks of the game lang talaga yan, at nakita ko talaga na gustong manalo ng BCT,” quipped Santos. Roderick Osis with a report from Jean Nicole Cortes/UB Intern