2014 UCAAP BASKETBALL TOURNEY

INTERNATIONAL College of Excellence (ICE) Maharlika leaned on its endgame power and superb reception to manage a 81-77 squeaker over AIE College Green Eagles in the 2014 UCAAP Jimmy Fernandez Basketball Challenge last Tuesday, October 1 at Dr. Salvador T. Duque Fieldhouse in Tapuac, Dagupan City.

It was Maharlikas’ point-guard John Michael Valdez who set the pace, stealing and pumping in a team-high 22 points, nine of them in the last period converting five of his six free throws, to avert another collapse at the homestretch to register his team’s third straight victory after two setbacks.

The Maharlika’s team of Danny Lim evened up the score on the third, 59-59, and finally found his range on the fourth to orchestrate a 7-0 romp to take the lead for good.  ICE’s latest win keeps it in the third spot of the tournament to stay in contention for the semis.

“I’m still not so satisfied with how we finished the game,” said ICE head coach Zaldy Garcia. “We have to learn how to play the full four quarters.”

ICE forward-center Paul Elegores contributed 21 points while Eric Moreno added 15. Patrick Llobrera had a game-high 25 markers while Benson Visperas and Ronnie Erasquin contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Green Eagles.

In other games of the day, LNU Dukes merciless-ly clobbered sister school LNU Urdaneta Ciy, 176-43, a new league record and margin of difference, 133 points, previously held by ICE with 102.

UPang-PHINMA Flames blazed the PIMSAT Dragons, 96-48.

Two weeks ago, UPang-PHINMA Flames, LNU Dukes and AIE Green Eagles crushed their respective foes during the out-of-town matches of the 2014 UCAAP Jimmy Fernandez Basketball Challenge held at the Macario Ydia Development Center in Mangaldan.

Flames, playing with high intensity and stifling defense, showed the way and never looked back to edge the ICE Maharlika, 87-84.

Meanwhile, the Dukes  mauled Philippine College of Science and Technology Topnotch, 112-32.

The Eagles, after splitting their first two games, endured the onslaught of PSU in the fourth and last period to pull a 92-82 victory.

Hostilities resume on Oct. 7 at Dr. Salvador T Duque Fieldhouse (LNU gym) in Tapuac, Dagupan City starting 1:00 p.m. The much-awaited battle of both undefeated teams LNU Dukes and UPang-PHINMA Flames will be done on Oct. 9 at Dagupan People’s Astrodome, 2:30 p.m.

October 3, 2014 games results (Dr. Salvador T. Duque Fieldhouse) PhilCST def. LNU Urdaneta City, 109-59, AIE defeated PIMSAT, 99-56. (JAG, Jr.)

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