USLS vs. CSAB in 3rd Chairman Cup titular showdown

University of St. La Salle (USLS) and Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod (CSA-B) arranged a titular showdown in the 21 category of the United Negros Basketball League (UNBL) 3rd Chairman’s Cup Negros in cooperation with Toyota Negros Occidental played at the Willy and Nolita Au Court, Bacolod Tay Tung High School.

Last Saturday, USLS Stingers was in the brink of defeat when UNO-R Rams Adrian Cagayao nailed a 3 pointer with 2 seconds left in the game to lead 64-61, but the Rams’ celebration was short-lived as it committed a foul on a jump shooting Mark Jun Dela Cruz in the 3-point area with a second left in the clock. Dela Cruz calmly sunk 3 free throws to force the extra time.

Dela Cruz, Jims Vincent Jimera, and Joshua Benedict Baldonado sank 3 pointers one after the other for an early 6-pt lead in OT. The Rams kept on fighting and cut the deficit to 75-73 on a Devon Paul Caballero breakaway layup, after the Stingers made an error with 28 seconds left. UNO-R drew up a play for a corner triple, but it was unsuccessful and Jimera ice the contest with 2 free throws to seal the finals slot for USLS.

Dela Cruz led the Stingers with 17 pts, Martin Jay Beatingo added 16 pts, Jimera knocked down 13 pts, Baldonado drilled 12 pts, and Raven John Gamboa with 7 points.

UNO-R was bannered by Mark Alfonso Macasa who connected on 5 triples for 21 pts, Cagayao had 14 pts, Devon Paul Caballero made 13 pts, Burj Gabriel Lapu-os got 9 pts, and Gino Dela Puerta added 6 pts.

CSAB Strived Eagles hold off STI WNU AS Group Bleachers 86-81. CSAB was in the driver’s seat most of the game, but STI WNU Mustangs made several repeated rallies to tie the game.

The Mustang caught up with CSAB at 71 all with over 5 minutes left in the game. Ranier Karl Estrada doused water on the rally and unloaded 5 straight points, but STI WNU kept it close on a Nap Lawrence Aliligay 3 play to cut the lead to 78-77. Estrada connected on a triple from the corner for a 4points lead and Fritz Suclan 3 play with 1:47 left 86-80 prove to be enough to hold off the Mustangs as they muffed their chances as they can only convert a point the rest of the way.

John Mycco Deposoy led the Eagles with 24 points, Adrian John Ondon and Suclan added 12, Estrada shot 11 and John Laurene Tuble hit 7 points.

Denmark Sigaya spearheaded the Mustangs with 21 points, backstopped by Felix Unabia 14, Jandro Coronado 10, all in the 3rd quarter, Nap Lawrence Aliligay 9, Winiefredo “Daboy” Fernandez 8and Venz Ross Librado 7 points.

Acster Mktg barged into the finals with a convincing 80-38 emphatic win as they outscored University of St. La Salle in all quarters in the 17 & Under category.

Paul Adrian Barcelona led the balance Acster offensive with 12 points, Kyle Barrieta added 11, Gloe Jan Antolo made 10, Tobby Matthew Orbista shot 8, Jameer Gapusan and Daniel Marc Sigaya dropped 6 markers apiece.

John Paul Cabayao paced USLS with 11 points, Erick Alova and Gabriel Bañas contributed 7 points apiece.

Playing as of press time Acster Marketing advance to the finals opposite New Energy Marketing/Raak Transport to be followed by CSAB Strived against USLS.* (Stephen Tan/CMG)