Wildcats win UCAA opener

Games Monday

(Olivarez College gym)

10 a.m. – PSBA vs MLQU

11:30 a.m. – NCBA vs RTU

1 p.m. – DLSU-D vs Trinity

2:30 p.m. – PNTC vs Trinity

MANILA, Philippines - The National College of Business and Arts Wildcats made their presence felt yesterday at the start of the 12th season of the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) basketball tournament.

They struck hard with their fastbreak offense in the last period and wore down the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars, 69-55, at the Ateneo Blue Eagle gym on Katipunan Ave., Quezon City.

Mario Junio and Ikee Asturia tallied 18 and 15 points, respectively, to lead the Wildcats in this cagefest supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

The cat-quick pace in the last period allowed them to limit the Jaguars to just five points.

“Sa fastbreak nagkatalo. Tumakbo nang tumakbo ang mga bata kaya napagod ang Jaguars,” said Wildcats coach Lester del Rosario.

The Wildcats forced five big turnovers during a seven-minute stretch in the last quarter and shut down the Jaguars in the process, moving away from a slim 51-50 edge to 55-50, behind drives by Eljohn Limpin and Jeff Disquitado.

A pair of driving layups from Junio in the last 3:03 saw the Wildcats grabbing a 63-50 spread.

Christian Canicula showed the way for the Jaguars with 18 points while Brian Agustin and Artistotle Dionisio had 12 apiece.

The Wildcats clash with the Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder when action resumes tomorrow at the Olivarez College gymnasium in Sucat, Parañaque.