DASMARIñAS, Cavite , Philippines – John Bachicha took charge at endgame as Colegio Sta. Monica beat Technological Institute of the Philippines, 72-68, yesterday to clinch the other finals berth in the eighth Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Bachicha scored eight points, including a drive off Jay Alquisala’s interception and a triple that gave the Cougars a 71-68 cushion with 59.9 seconds left in the contest.
The Engineers then bungled two scoring opportunities and missed the chance to force overtime.
The Cougars thus arranged a best-of-three finals showdown with the defending champion Universal College Dragons in the cagefest backed by Mikasa and Molten Balls.
Game One is set Friday starting at 10 a.m. at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Sports Complex.
“Credit goes to the team. I told the boys to keep Bachicha open for three-point shots. They created opportunities for him,” said Cougars coach Jimwell Gican.
Warren Rosal showed the way for the Cougars with 12 points, while John Orbeta and Alquisala added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Raphael Garcia drilled in 18 points for the Engineers, while Greg Aguilar had 17.
The Engineers forced a rubber match with the Cougars when they won their first semis match last Friday, 62-50.