CEBU, Philippines – One day after their impressive victory over UAAP champion National University Bulldogs, the University of the Visayas scored another upset win this time against NCAA runner-up Arellano University Chiefs, 95-88, in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) Elite Eight Series last night at the Cebu Coliseum.
The win gave UV of coach Gary Cortes a 2-1 win-loss record and a chance to be in the Final Four. The Lancers will have a chance to advance in the Final Four today if they will win against fellow CESAFI team in University of San Carlos Warriors.
Francisco Arong had a game-high 28 points, 15 of them coming from the second period. John Michael Abad contributed with 17 points, while Steve Cedrick Akomo inked 16 markers as Rhaffy Octobre and Josh Segumpan had 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Jovani Jalalon paced Chiefs with 26 points, as Don Gumaru and Kent Salado added 13 points apiece.
Meanwhile, NCAA reigning champion San Beda Red Lions won their first game of the tournament with a 85-75 thrashing of USC Warriors the other night.
Art dela Cruz carried the Red Lions with his 23 points.
The game was tied, 67-all, at the 6:25 mark of the final period, but it was Dela Cruz who broke the hearts of many Warriors’ fans with his five-point blitz which game San Beda a, 72-67, advantage.
Baser Amir made two triples followed by Ola Adeogun’s shots that stretched Lions’ lead to 12 points, 81-69, with 1:47 left in the ballgame. Ian Tagapan led USC with his 21 points. (FREEMAN)