UC dominates USJR in Nike Cebu leg

CEBU City – University of Cebu used its overwhelming height advantage to beat University of San Jose Recoletos, 11-5, as it captured the Nike 3 on 3 Cebu leg championship trouble-free before a huge crowd at the SM City-Cebu last Saturday.

Towering UC players, composed of Allen Abayata, Brian Berbesada, Eugene Bal Luchavez and John Ian Nicolasora, drained the energy of the USJR three, which toppled defending Cebu leg titlist University of the Visayas, 12-10, in the semifinals.

"Our strength lies in the zone area, where our tall players dominated the opposing team. Hopefully, we can carry the momentum of this victory all the way to the National Finals," said UC coach Joaquin "Jake" Rojas, a former Toyota cager, who used to back up Francis Arnaiz during the early years of the PBA.

UC, which got a scare from Salazar Institute of Technology in the semis before pulling off a scrambling 11-10 triumph, will join Bacolod qualifier University of St. La Salle in the National Finals to be held in Manila in August.

A total of 17 teams competed in the Cebu leg, which was also attended by PBA superstar and Nike endorser Alvin Patrimonio, who delighted his Cebuano fans by signing autographs and joining the exciting side-events, where contestants won exclusive Nike Giveaways.