UC clinches Sweet 16 slot

CEBU, Philippines - The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters easily demolished the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 103-86, to advance into the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

As usual, 6-foot-11 center June Mar Fajardo showed the way for the Webmasters with 26 points but it was Kelvin Juliane who stole the limelight by also hitting 26 markers, 22 of them in the first half spiked with four triples in the first period alone.

Robinson Mohamad, who had a lackluster performance in their victory over the Baycats, finished with 16 points and Kevin Quilantang chipped in with 10 points for the Webmasters.

The Webmasters, thus, joined nine-time CESAFI champion University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers and third placer University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, the qualifier in the Bacolod leg, into the elite stage of the prestigious tournament.

The Jaguars, who were playing in a non-bearing game against the Webmasters, were led by Edmar Pateño and Abulaiz Suliman with 12 points each followed by Marvin Duran with 11.

Adamson University Falcons, meanwhile, are aiming for the second slot but with their 2-0 win-loss record, they could finish as top qualifier. As of this writing though, the Falcons and the Baycats were still playing for final positioning.

The scores

UC (103) - Fajardo 26, Juliane 26, Mohamad 16, Quilantang 10, Abella 8, Cayanong 5, Luceño 4, Tano 3, Bernil 2, Miranda 2, Gomez 1

USJ-R (86) - Pateño 12, Suliman 12, Duran 11, Bibera 9, Lapiz 9, Dela Peña 7, Amores 7, Villaver 7, Dela Rama 3, Albarillo 2, Nudalo 2, Alquizola 1

Halftime: 52-39. – THE FREEMAN