Warriors pull off coup vs Generals

University of the East vented its UAAP frustration on Emilio Aguinaldo College, fashioning out an 84-60 rout yesterday in the Sweet 16 of the Collegiate Champions League at the packed Emilio Aguinaldo College gym.

Mark Borboran fired 19 points while James Martinez churned out 17 points, including 15 from behind the arc, as the Warriors advanced to the quarterfinal round of the annual event staking a total of P850,000 in scholarship grants and sports equipment.

UE, which blew a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four to eventual UAAP champion University of Santo Tomas, thus arranged a quarterfinal showdown with the winner of the NCAA runner-up Philippine Christian U and UCAA titlist AMA U matchup.

"I was worried the disappointment of the UAAP will carry on in this game," said UE coach Dindo Pumaren. "If you noticed, the boys were tight in the first half but they came through in the fourth quarter."

The Generals, behind PBL veteran Ronjay Buenafe, kept the game close in the first half and were still in the game in the final quarter, trailing at 55-61 with seven minutes to go.

But Martinez unloaded an 8-0 binge to spark a decisive 20-0 run that took the fight out from the Nomar Isla-mentored EAC side.

Earlier, Mapua made a good impression on its first stint in the Champions League, beating St. Francis of Assisi, 77-60.

The Cardinals used a huge third quarter run to clip the Doves and advance to the quarterfinal round of the annual event against the winner of the Ateneo-PMI duel.

"It’s a privilege to play in the league of champions," said Mapua coach Horacio Lim. "It’s our first time to qualify and we’re happy to get a win in our debut here."

Seeded eighth, just a notch higher than the Doves, the Cardinals drilled in the majority of their nine three-pointers in the third period to turn a close contest into a runaway victory.

They outscored the NCRAA champions, 28-13, to turn a one-point halftime lead into a 59-43 bubble.

"I told the boys the third quarter would be critical because the game was close. Fortunately we hit some outside shots to take control," Lim said.

The Cardinals, fourth placers in the NCAA, led by as many as 23 points on a transition basket by Jofferson Gonzales, 63-45, 6:34 to play.

Filipino-Canadian Kelvin Dela Peña scored 14 points to lead the balanced attack of the Cardinals while forward Sean Co contributed 10.

High-scoring guard Leomar Losentes, a St. Francis basketball star from his junior days, led the Doves with 19 points.

But he was scoreless in the final frame as the Doves failed to gain grounds. Raymund Ilagan chipped in a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.