LNU Dukes win PCCL North-Central Luzon crown
LYCEUM Northwestern University Dukes first beat La Union’s best La Finns Scholastica Lion Hearts in the qualifying round by eight points, 82-74, but critics said Dukes’ victory was just a fluke.
However, they were wrong.
Challenged but not intimidated, Dukes proved its worth anew against the same opponent in the championship by repulsing the visitors, 88-78, to clinch the Philippines Collegiate Champions League North-Central Luzon title held at Dr. Salvador T. Duque Fieldhouse on December 4.
In fact, the Pangasinan champions Dukes leading by just four points, 29-25, in the first quarter never gave up the front up to the end despite a physical play by the visitors with off-guard Roxar Melendez scoring a team high 21 points from beyond the arc and perimeter range that rattled the opponent.
Llyod Quisay on his farewell game this season and bagging the MVP prestigious award, contributed 16 while wily point-guard Ramos had 14.
“It was the Lord God Jesus who gave this victory to us, and not us,” Dukes head coach Nanoy Duque said humbly.
“We want to enter the “sweet sixteen” of the league and He gave us the sweetest thing of our basketball life this time. To God be the glory,” Duque added.
“This is not the Dukes which I used to see three years ago,” PCCL national commissioner Joe Lipa said.
“LNU Dukes improved tremendously in all angles of play,” he added. (Jesus A. Garcia Jr.)
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