USJ-R ousts UC to reach PCCL last 16 stage

CEBU - Cebu’s University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars and NCAA’s Letran Knights secured a slot into the Philippine Collegiate Champions League Sweet 16 after ousting their respective rivals the other night at the conclusion of the PCCL Ormoc Zonals at the Ormoc Superdome.

The Jaguars clawed the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, 95-87, in an all-Cebu knockout match,   while the Knights, third placer of the 84th NCAA season behind three-peat champion San Beda Red Lions and Jose Rizal University, crushed the West Negros University, 70-58.

Thus, the Jaguars and the Knights made it to the PCCL Final 16 that will be completed after the Cagayan de Oro qualifying round this week. The University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers gained automatic slot being the reigning CESAFI champion.

The Jaguars and the Webmasters were still at each other in the final 6:30 of the contest when the score was tied at 71-all, but the early exit of 6-foot-8 giant June Mar Fajardo on fouls took its heavy toll on the UC side. (GGM) (THE FREEMAN)