Adamson gains quarters; JRU forfeits game vs NU

Adamson outlasted University of Santo Tomas, 80-77, to clinch a quarterfinal berth even as Jose Rizal University – still mourning the death of one of its rising stars – forfeited its game against National University in the 8th SmartPCABL (Philippine Chinese Amateur Basketball League) FREEGO Cup last Tuesday at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy gym in Quezon City.

The JRU management had earlier informed the FREEGO Cup organizers that it was forfeiting its game since its players were still in a state of shock following the death of CJ Servillon.

Sevillon passed away Sunday night due to heart complications after collapsing while on the bench in the team’s match against La Salle-Zobel in the other league’s preseason tournament last Friday. Servillon’s interment will be tomorrow.

With JRU’s withdrawal, UST joined Adamson and early Group B qualifiers NU and Malayan against teams from Group A – La Salle-Zobel, Ateneo, University of the Philippines-Integrated School and Arellano University.

The withdrawal of JRU likewise pushed NU on the threshold of completing an 8-game sweep of Group B elims while Malayan subdued Hope Christian High School, 85-53, to cement its hold of second place at 6-1.

The Junior Archers, meantime, topped Group A elims after downing UPIS, 80-60, on another solid all-around performance of Aljun Melecio, while Ateneo finished second following its 9176 drubbing of Arellano.

La Salle-Zobel and Ateneo finished tied with similar 7-1 cards, but the Junior Archers took the No. 1 seeding due to the winner over the other rule.

In other games, Letran closed out its campaign on a winning note with a 101-68 victory over University of Perpetual Help and Far Eastern University downed Chiang Kai Shek College, 67-64.