CEBU, Philippines - National Athletic Association for State Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) champion San Sebastian College de Cavite (SSC) Baycats rode on the excellent performance of Junjun Gracilla to claw the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 86-77, in last night's opener of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Cebu Zonals at the Cebu Coliseum.
Gracilla, whose three-point play in the final 19.6 seconds ensured their victory, netted 21 points to lead the Baycats, but it was Michael Basa who sparked the late rally by scoring quick three points for a 77-74 Baycats lead at the final 1:41 mark of the contest.
The Jaguars were still in the game when Aniceto Lapiz, Jr. nailed a long 3-pointer to pull the Jaguars with two points, 77-79 with only 33.6 seconds to go in the game.
All of a sudden, the Jaguars went to the freezer, along the Baycats to score the last seven of the game to frustrate the hosts.
Gracilla was backed up by Chris Lucernas with 21 points.
The scores
SSC-Cavite (86) - Gracilla 21, Lucernas 19, Alcasabas 14, Basa 12, Escobal 7, Pantonia 4, Antipuesto 4, Filio 2, Pono 2
USJ-R (77) - De la Peña 16, Bibera 15, Pateño 11, Duran 9, Dela Rama 6, Lapiz 5, Suliman 4, Nudalo 3, Alquizola 2, Senining 2, Villaver 2, Amores 2
Halftime: 46-45 (GGM) (FREEMAN NEWS)