LNU Dukes, UPang Flames oust UL Tigers
UCAAP INTER-COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
IT was a defeat and victory for the University of Luzon Golden Tigers in their last two games in the ongoing UCAAP Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championship elimination round, both happening in overtime.
In the September 18 game, the rejuvenated Tigers, who were on the verge of upsetting the league pacesetter Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes, leading by a mere point, 99-98, and with ball possession in the last five seconds of the extra period, mishandled an inbound pass which was intercepted by Dukes guard Alexander Andrade and successfully converted the game-winning basket off Tigers Dennis Cuaresma to yield a 99-100 pulsating decision.
The Tigers came back strong the following day to repulse the University of Pangasinan-PHINMA Flames by four points, 89-85, but unfortunately the four-point margin was not enough to clinch the second and last berth for the championship losing the slot through quotient system.
“The Tigers lost their first game against the Flames by nine points, 93-84, but failed to win by at least 11 points in their second meeting and that’s the reason why they lost the berth because we’re governed by FIBA quotient rules,” said league commissioner Christian Calaguio.
“They should have won the slot if not for that costly error they (Tigers) committed in the last five seconds of their game against LNU Dukes. But that’s basketball, anything can happen even by just a tick of a second,” he added.
The unbeaten Dukes will face the Flames in the championship with a best-of-three series format on September 25 and 26 at the Dagupan People’s Astrodome.
In case of deadlock, the third and final match will be played on October 2.–JAGJr.
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