UL levels series, forges knockout game
MAYOR AL’S CUP
UNLIKE the first fray last Monday that saw the University of Pangasinan Webczars nailing a 77-70 victory, the second game belonged to the University of Luzon Golden Tigers in a 74-71 finish.
The Webczars led by 15 points in the second quarter but bungled in the last quarter and missed their chance to capture the championship. This forged a do-or-die title match tomorrow against the defending champions in the Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr. Cup basketball tournament being held at Dagupan People’s Astrodome.
The Webczars’ sharpshooter Bryan Santillan and Albert Carcha, seemed to have the Golden Tigers pinned for good with a 51-36 advantage in the third period, but the determined boys of coach Jack Vidal engineered a full-court-press defense in the fourth and final juncture to rattle the Webczars and captured the lead 56-55, with less than three minutes to go.
Guards Jonathan Panunciar and Marbin Macalalad delivered the goods when they were most needed with Santillan and Carcha countering to stay at bay.
The Golden Tigers were leading by a mere point, 72-71, with 17 seconds remaining, and the Webczars, holding the ball had a big chance to turn the game around and win the championship. But point guard Virgilio Olero hurried and missed a three-point shot with seven ticks left and Macalalad sealed the victory with two free throws.
“It was a tough match and they were really focused and prepared for us,” said head coach Angel Gumarang.
“UL came out with a lot of breaks at the homestretch and the three referees committed multiple blunders in the dying minutes of the game. If not, it should have ended the other way,” Gumarang added.
“We had to work harder to break their press because they forced us to commit a lot of turnovers. These two teams are evenly paired so it really depends on who got the big heart and determination to win,” assistant coach Jun Amado said.
The result of the third match of the province’s most intense collegiate basketball rivalry will be highly unpredictable. But last Thursday’s victory by the Golden Tigers has given them a slight psychological edge for getting the momentum.—JAG,Jr.
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