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| Photo by Redjie Melvic Cawis |
Clyriel Elefante had a team high of 20 points for the UB
Cardinals that pulled away from a 7-6 lead early in the ball game and conspired
with an eight to zero run and earn a 15 – 6 with 6 minutes remaining in the
first quarter.
Elefante stood the tallest as they made BCT look like what
they really are: Atoms, amidst a pro-BCT crowd who stormed the Cardinals gym to
see how their team would fare in the big leagues.
It was a gallant but losing stand for the newcomers who
lorded over the Cordillera Higher Education Sports Athletic Association and who
knocked at the BBEAL’s door three years ago.
Richard Bilibli’s return took him nearly 10 months as the
most needed man in last year’s third and final game returned with a bang,
adding 18 points for the Cardinals which is raring to get the title back from
arch rival University of the Cordilleras which upset them last year.
“Medyo hirap pa.
Adjustments na lang at okay na,” said team captain and play maker Kevin
Orduña as he allowed his team mates to score nearly at will against the
debutantes, who were rather manhandled in their coming of age at the BBEAL.
Big man Noel Cathedral, Jr. added 10 points for UB, which is
seeking its 22nd BBEAL title.
Jervey Calibo scored half of the Atoms total with 33 as BCT
struggled to find form in the BBEAL but still one of the teams to watch despite
its poor opener.
“Adjustment lang talaga, mabigat ang simula dahil mabigat
ang kalaban since we don’t really know them,” said coach Roger Basto, whose
debut last year was foiled by a Jaguars upheavel.
But Orduña and the Cardinals expect UC to be still their
biggest threat. “It could be UC or SLU (Saint Louis University),” said Orduña
referring to the teams that could really give them the difficulty.
“SLU, because they have the system although they may not
have an explosive player,” assessed Orduña.
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