Flames oust Topnotch, battle Dukes for title
UCAAP INTER-COLLEGIATE JIMMY FERNANDEZ BASKETBALL CHALLENGE
AFTER a string of two victories, University of Pangasinan PHINMA Flames proved to its mortal nemesis Philippine Colleges of Science and Technology Topnotch that their twin wins over them were not fluke at all, by subduing the latter anew, 89-82, in the semifinals of the UCAAP Inter-Collegiate Jimmy Fernandez Basketball Challenge on October 15 at Dagupan People’s Astrodome.
The Flames’ five key players Joe Anthony Jacinto, Rolly Bravo, Darwin Barte, Ardel Valdez and Japeth Barola pumped in a combined 71 points, took the first quarter by 10 points, 22-12, by five marks at the second, 38-33, and was threatened at the third by only two, 61-59, due to numerous misfires.
But the never-say-die boys of Jay Ronquillo regained their rhythm and intensity in the fourth with the trio of Jacinto, Barte and Bravo doing most of the damage by outgunning and outrunning the surging Topnotch especially in the last two minutes, and eventually pushed their squad to win by seven marks.
Defending champions Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes ousted AIE College, 99-54, in the first game of the day, will duel with Flames in the best-of-three championship series in the same venue starting on October 22 at 4:00 p.m. PCST and AIE College will battle for third place. (Jesus A. Garcia Jr.)
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