Jaguars, Sea Lions duel for UCAA title

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine School of Business Administration struck hard in the last seven minutes and overpowered Manuel L. Quezon University, 82-71, in their rubber match for the other finals berth in 10th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Olivarez College gym in Sucat yesterday.

The win thus sent the Jaguars to their first finals appearance in seven years in the league.

Playing without veteran playmaker Vic Manuel, the Jaguars leaned on Justine Puno, Roden Sagun and Rodel Mag-Isa who churned out double-digit outputs to arrange a best-of-three finals showdown with the Olivarez College Sea Lions.

The Jaguars, who bowed to the Stallions, 104-96, in overtime in their first semis clash last Wednesday, meet the Sea Lions in Game 1 on Monday in the cagefest backed by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

Puno scored a game-high 19 points while Roden Sagun added 17, including a jumper and two free throws in the last 5:27.

Sagun’s heroics spiked an 8-0 run which handed the Jaguars a 75-68 advantage with 4:43 to go.

Earlier, Mag-Isa fired 16 points, while Erol Role had 10, his layup off Sagun’s pass in the last 6:32 allowing the Jaguars to move ahead of the Stallions, 69-68.

Meanwhile, defending champion La Salle-Dasmariñas turned back separate rivals in the men’s and women’s divisions of the UCAA volleyball semifinals.

The Patriots won over Central Colleges of the Philippines, 25-11, 25-9, 25-7, to reach the men’s finals against Olivarez College, which defeated Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite, 19-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18.

On the other hand, the Lady Patriots forced a rubber match after whipping Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite, 25-12, 25-14, 25-23, while PSBA took the first finals seat in the women’s side following a 25-8, 25-8, 25-5 beating of CCP.