UL 5 won then lost last game
MANILA–University of Luzon ran through a brick wall yesterday as they were crushed by NCAA’s Mapua Institute of Technology to end its quest for a spot in the Sweet 16 in the 2008 Philippine Collegiate Championship zonal tournament at the Makati Coliseum last Wednesday.
The Golden Tigers, the winning team in Region 2, made a surprising start before the Cardinals took charge throughout the 40-minute contest to end its campaign with an even 1-1 record in Group A of Zone 1.
Had UL scored an upset over the Cardinals, they would have been given an opportunity to play against heavyweight teams such as UAAP champion Ateneo de Manila, NCAA titlist San Beda College, San Sebastian College Recoletos de Cavite, Universal College of Nursing, Manuel L Quezon University and CESAFI title-holder University of the Visayas from Cebu.
Geran Sabordo led UL with 18 points while point guard Marbin Macalalad added 15 points even as big man Norman Ilao was held to 10 points against a strong Mapua frontline of Neil Pascual, Jason Pascual and Mark Sarangay.
Guard Guillermo led Mapua with 18 points while Ian Mazo added 14 as four players scored in double figures.
Despite the loss, head coach Jack Vidal was satisfied with the opportunity of the team to play against some of the top teams in Manila and Southern Luzon.
“It’s a good experience for us that hopefully we could learn next year,” Vidal said.
Before the loss, UL opened its campaign last Monday when they beat NCAA South runner-up Lyceum of Batangas, 79-62, as Ilao led the team with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
In that contest, the Golden Tigers overcame a gritty challenge by the Patriots for three quarters before point guard Jonathan Panunciar led a key 17-3 run to pull away with a 74-59 lead with three minutes left.
Panunciar finished with 18 points with Sabordo and Carlito Cubo added 12 and 11 markers, apiece.
“We made tighten up our defense even though we employed the same system,” Vidal said.
Jhon Kenneth Velarde led Lyceum-Batangas with 16 points in a losing cause.
UL earned a trip to the zonal phase after capturing the Region 2 title over Lyceum of Subic Bay in the finals last month. (JT)
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