The University of the Cordilleras (UC) Jaguars held off the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals at bay, 92-85, in the main game of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) Sunday, October 20, 2019 games to avoid being swept during the weekend.
The Jaguars were again engaged in a nip and tuck affair late in the game as they did with the Saint Louis Navigators a day before. They threatened to blow the game wide open going to the final stretch in the fourth quarter, leading 81-74 with 4:34 left in the fourth.
The Admirals, however, dropped a 9-2 run while forcing turnovers with their pesky defense in just a minute to trim the lead to just two, 83-81 and make it cardiac ball game.
After a UC timeout, the Jaguars pulled out consecutive defensive gems themselves by forcing three Admiral turnovers on presses and double teams and converting them to easy lay-ups to restore order, 89-81, with two minutes left.
The Admirals countered by going to the court of last resort but missed a number of uncontested three point attempts the rest of the way to hand the Jaguars the win.
The Jaguars and the Admirals were both reeling from losses during the Saturday games. The Jaguars lost to the Navigators, 64-69, while the Admirals were atomized by the Baguio College of Technology, 66-70.
By Armando M. Bolislis
