UB Cardinals sweep group B, routs BCT Atoms
SANS BIG man Armando Pollante of the Baguio College of Technology Atoms, the University of Baguio Cardinals turned a close ball game into a route to stay unbeaten in the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League.
The Cardinals used a searing third quarter run to stay undefeated in three games after subduing the Atoms, 84 – 67 and top Group B of the men’s basketball in their home court after being down by 10 early in the first quarter.
John Erick Victorio lead the charge for the Cardinals giving its first taste of the lead, 25 – 23 with 4:46 remaining in the first half and finished the ball game with a team high of 16 points.
The Atoms o played inspired basketball right from the opening canto, erecting a 4 – 14 lead in the first six minutes as the team
came to play with a tape plastered on the left part of their jersey in an act of protest in the suspension and eventual dismissal from the league of big Atom Pollante.
According to a league insider, Pollante twice enrolled a subject he already took and passed some years back only to get the minimum load to be able to play.
But the Atoms eventually lost steam of the ball game allowing the Cardinals to score at will and lead by eight at the end of the third quarter, 58 – 50.
From then on, the Cardinals took charge posting a 78 – 57 advantage with 3:01 remaining in the ball game.
“Malaking bagay din yung kawalan ni Pollante sa gitna kasi medyo hirap sila sa match – up lalo sa loob. Iba kasi ang laro ng BCT pag andyan si Pollante,” said Cardinals assistant coach Delson Terseno.
CCDC game hero Claude Camit found himself in early trouble and held scoreless in the first half and finished the ball game with only three even as Adrien Imson had only nine. Big man Renz dela Cruz, struggled from inside, but was good for 16 points
Marvin Asilo was a one man wreaking machine for the Atoms with 18 points while Reynil Amargo, Lito Villanueva and Melvin John Vinoya only had eight points each.
Despite the loss, the Atoms will advance to the next round with a 4 - 1 slate together with the Cordillera Career Development College Admirals (3 – 2).
Season host University of the Philippines, which failed to win at least a ball game together with Baguio Central University (1 – 4) was already booted out of the competition.