DEFENDING champion University of the Cordilleras Jaguars
opened their title retention bid in men’s basketball with a bang in clobbering
Benguet State University Buffalos at the SLU Gym to give newly appointed Haynes
Acdong his first win as head coach.
The Jaguars also welcomed the return of JP Jularbal in
annexing a 120-75 victory in the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League
season 26 where he conspired with Leilmar Garcia to top the scoring with 23
markers each.
From a 66-33 lead at the close of the first half, the
defending champion was a bit off in the third period that saw the Buffalos cut
the deficit to 24, 72-48 on a 15-6 run with 5:26 remaining in the quarter.
“We just went hard on our offense and defense and I told
them not to let up on this game,” said Acdong where he is picking up the chores
left by another former Jaguar, John Carlo Domingo who migrated to Canada early
this year after delivering the school’s first crown in 16 years.
Back-up court general Andrew Payas added 19 points for the
reigning champions with Jopson Dail and
rookie Erwin Jay de Guzman adding 16 points each while Chad Russel Villanueva
chipped in 11 points.
After an 84-55 count at the close of the third canto UC
unleashed a 12-6 run in the first three
minutes to simply close out the Buffalos and enjoy a 96-60 lead with 7:26
remaining in the ball game.
Despite the lopsided win, Acdong said he still needs to find
the right rotation for the team where four of the five starting line-up in last
year’s title run returned with the addition of Jularbal after two years of
absence in the league.
Jeconiah Solamo, a vital cog in last year’s championship run
will not be eligible to play but Acdong will pin his hopes on the returning
Garcia, Dail, Villanueva and Payas for this year’s BBEAL including four more
veterans, six rookies and two sophomores.
“Marami pang dapat gawin, lalong-lalo na kulang kami sa no.2
at no.3 position pero kailangan mag step-up din nung ibang player para mapunuan
yung kulang,” added Acdong.
The Buffalos were led by Joey Kimao’s 23 points and the 10
markers courtesy of Zanny Liquidan.
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