UE Warriors flex muscle early

Legazpi City — University of the East wasted no time in making a statement, scoring a murderous 109-63 win over host team Divine Word College of Legazpi, even as San Sebastian College sailed past Angeles University Foundation, 87-76, at the start of the Inter-Collegiate championship of the National Students Basketball Championships at the Albay Astrodome here.

Charles Tan topscored for the Warriors with 19 points built around five triples while Paolo Hubalde had 17, as UE sent its second team after only the first quarter, which it took, 26-14.

With Tan leading the assault from afar, the lead ballooned to 57-29 at the half, as UE met only token resistance from Falcon’s Omar Jadloc and burly Benedict Beltran.

UE hardly took a beat in the second half and went on to build its biggest lead in the game, 100-50, time down to 4:21.

Ronquillo added 14, while Robert Labagala had 13, James Yap added 10, all in the first quarter, as UE picked up its first win in Group A in the eliminations.

Jadloc, who scored a trey as time expired, and Beltran had 17 each for the Falcons.

Earlier, the Stags needed a late-game spirit to turn back Angeles University Foundation to likewise clinch their first win in Group C.

Mark Reveche led four Stags in double digits with 18 points. Chris Baluyot and Pep Moore added 16 points apiece, while Red Vicente had 11.

Ricmar Giron finished with 20 points to lead AUF, while Raymond Go, Louie Sendin and Allen Hicban added 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively.

University of Visayas was still playing as of presstime against another host team in Aquinas University while defending champion St. Francis of Assisi was scheduled to play University of Perpetual Help-Laguna at 5:30 p.m.

UE faces Southern City College at 4 p.m. today, while San Sebastian takes on Bicol College at 5:30.

Over at the Divine Word College high school gym San Beda College’s junior squad made short work of DWCL’s high school team, 110-33, to also start their bid on a high note.

Joseph Casio led the Red Cubs with 20 points and Yun Escueta had 13 as they took over the scoring chore from Ford Arao, who went down with a thigh injury in the first-quarter.

The tournament which is being supported here by Cebuana Lhuillier, Spring Cooking Oil, Molten, Healthy Options and Baker’s Fair, opened with a colorful parade of teams with their muses from the Bicol University and the Provincial Capitol and ending at the Albay Astrodome. The opening rites were led by Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara, Vice-Gov. James Calisin, BAP’s Tony Fabico and other local officials.