XU Crusaders fall short

DAVAO CITY—Xavier University (XU) Senior Crusaders fell short from making it to the top as they settled for fourth place instead in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Mindanao Finals on Saturday at the Almendras gym here.

The Crusaders of coach Rocky Calingin finished joint second in the elimination round along with Holy Trinity College of General Santos City and Josefina Herrera Cerilles College of Pagadian City with a similar 2-2 winloss slate.

Holy Cross College of Davao topped the elimination round by sweeping the five-team round robin qualifier.

The Crusaders had a solid 2-0 start before yielding to the Holy Cross and Holy Trinity Wild Cats in succession.

Despite successive defeats, XU let its fate depend on tie-break system after JHCC Green Hornets forced a three-way tie for second via four-point win against the Wild Cats.

Using the goal difference system in the situation, the Wild Cats took outright second that left Pagadian and XU at third and fourth places, respectively.

“Sayang ang bawod wala mipabor kanamo. Pero naa pay daghan panahon ug learning experience namo asa mi kulang and that we know that everybody is beatable,” said Calingin, a current consultant of the City Economic Enterprise Division (CEED) in Cagayan de Oro and former mayor of Claveria town, Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, the Wild Cats had their sweet revenge after pulling a nerve-wracking one-point victory over nemesis Holy Cross in the final en route to clinching the championship ring.