Atoms extend BBEAL finals series against UC
BAGUIO College of Technology lived another day after stopping University of the Cordilleras in game two, 98 – 91, in their best of three men’s basketball finals of the Baguio - Benguet Educational Athletic League season 31.
Armando Pollante and Azzir Rabara scored 21 each to lead the Atoms with their all game basketball brilliance and evaded a near fourth quarter collapse after squandering a 16 point lead midway in the second period.
“Kelangan lang naming doblehin yung effort tsaka maganda yung naging team work namin,” said Pollante after his team avoided a possible sweep by the reigning basketball titlist and hopes to carry the momentum going into today’ game three at the CCDC gym which starts at 4:00 p.m.
Three other Atoms scored in double digit with Lito Villanueva adding 14 while Reynil Amargo and Kram Domingo chipped in 13 and 12 a piece.
After a 26 all count with eight minutes remaining in the second period which saw seven deadlocks, the Atoms slowly pulled away by outscoring the Jaguars 26 – 16 to enjoy a 51 – 43 advantage at half time.
BCT enjoyed their biggest lead of the ball game at 60 – 44 with Amargo hitting a long two in the 8:30 mark of the third quarter.
Starring at the double digit deficit, Julmar Ladia once again sparked a Jaguars comeback as UC outscored BCT in the final eight minutes of the third canto on a searing 30 – 19 run to stare at a 79 – 74 deficit going into the final frame of the ball game.
The Jaguars continued the onslaught in the payoff quarter with UC regaining the lead since the second quarter, 86 – 89, capped by a short stab by Krenz Trinidad inside the shaded lane with 4:50 remaining.
Amargo however put BCT back on the driver’s seat at 90 – 89 with 1:54 remaining while Domingo hit a dagger three to put the game away for the Jaguars with 37 seconds remaining for a 95 – 89 count.
“It was just breaks of the game. We were not hitting our shots,” said UC coach Albin Santos.
Trinidad lead UC with 20 points while Ladia finished with 16 as Jhune Ric Buenaventura and Gabriel Capitly chipped in 12 and 11 respectively. Roderick Osis