Flames blaze Dukes, 95-84, tops elims
UCAAP JIMMY FERNANDEZ BASKETBALL CHALLENGE
UPANG-PHINMA Flames point-guard Ardel Valdez exploded with a game high 30 points, 19 of them in the first half and 11 of them in the important last two quarters, to lift his team in overpowering defending champion LNU Dukes and top the elimination round.
Aside from Valdez, the Flames also drew huge numbers from its three key players Jioni Laca, Rolly Bravo and Jomar Ordona who poured in a combined 47 points – most of them in the payoff period making the Flames breaking free in the middle of the fourth to register its six straight wins sans loss.
The Flames victory paved thee way to capture the first of two twice-to-beat advantage slots and to face the well-improved and fourth placer AIE College Green Eagles in the semifinals on October 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Despite its lone setback, two-time champion Dukes landed second with six conquests and will also enjoy the second twice-to-beat incentive position and to battle third placer International College of Excellence (ICE) Maharlika on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
“Hard work of the team, patience and of course our prayers helped us to win the match,” Flames head coach Jay Ronquillo said.
In other games of the day, the raging ICE Maharlika plastered PSU, 85-67, and PIMSAT overwhelmed LNU Urdaneta City, 87-67.
Skirmishes resume on Monday (Oct, 13) in the afternoon at the same venue with LNU Urdaneta City to clash UPang at 1:00, ICE versus PhilCST at 2:30 and PSU against PIMSAT at 4:00. (JAG, Jr.)
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