Lady Cardinals complete double whammy, SLU’s Austria to Gilas?

Baguio City – The University of Baguio (UB) Lady Cardinals dropped a big run during the last two minutes of Game 2 of the best of three Championship Series to secure the 32^nd Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) Women’s Basketball Crown and complete a Cardinal sweep of the competitions.

The Lady Cardinals used a crippling 15-0 to turn a one-point deficit to a 77-63 win over the University of the Cordilleras (UC) Lady Jaguars. Coupled with their 83-80 win in Game One last November 30, the Lady Cardinals did not let the series reach a deciding game.

The final score did not show the closeness of the game as the Lady Cardinals were down, 62-63, with two minutes left in the game and have to blank the Lady Jaguars the rest of the way for the deceptively looking easy win final score.

The run was started by a drive to the basket with a foul to boot and a put back of the missed freethrow.

The four-point swing was all they need to spark the strong finish and secured the back-to-back title for the Lady Cardinals as well as the sweep of the basketball titles with the Cardinals securing the Men’s title over the Saint Louis University (SLU) Navigators via a 2-0 shootout.

Meanwhile, the Lady Navigators whacked the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Lady Cavaliers, 71-54, to net the bronze and hand their coach, Raymond Austria, what might be the best consolation prize ever in the history of the BBEAL.

Austria may not have led his squads to any titles this year but the overcoming of huge obstacles by his men’s squad in reaching the finals and this third place finish by his women’s squad may just have bought him a ticket for a Philippine Team appearance as league sources reported that he is being considered as the primary candidate to represent the league as an assistant coach trainee to Gilas.

It will be recalled that the Navigators was considered almost dead with regard to finishing a successful playoff stint as they lost two of three matches in the eliminations.

They, however, came back strong in the crossover phase, first resoundingly sinking an equally streaking Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals, 95-71, then clipping Season 31 runner up Baguio College of Technology (BCT) Atoms, 92-86, to bag the third seed going into the semis.

They got two more wins against them in a rematch, making it 3-0 against the Atoms this year, to advance to the finals. The finally bowed to the Cardinals in two closely contested games, where they even held leads going to the crucial stages of the game.

By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS, 12/08/18

Banner photo by Odeza Urmatam, University of the Philippines Baguio, College of Arts and Communication

(December 1 update)

Cardinals reclaim BBEAL Men’s Basketball Crown

Baguio City – The University of Baguio (UB) Cardinal Men’s team took possession of the title they were accustomed to own after blanking the Saint Louis University (SLU) Navigators in two straight championship games the the Navs’ home floor that went down the wire.

It were sorry losses for the Navigators as they had real chances to making it more interesting in both games. They led 43-35 after two periods in Game One held last November 29 and was even in a better position in the second game by being up 66-57 after the third quarter, a game held on November 30.

The Cardinals, however, came up big at the turn  of both games to reverse the outcome.  They turned in a 26-15 third quarter in the first game to carry a three point lead going to the fourth in the first game, a  lead they refused to yield that lead to an 83-74 to take a 1-0 lead in their best of three championship series.

They did a similar run in the fourth of the second game,  23-12 this time, to end the series.

Cardinal John Eric Victorio overcame a cut over his left eye he suffered during the second game to finish his season with a strong statement. He scored 16 points to help his team wrap up the series.

Victorio said they learned their lesson during the last two seasons where they entered a playoff series with twice to beat advantage but ended up being eliminated after the payoff game.

He also said although they knew there was the possibility of going into a third game, they were determined to take advantage of the chance given them to end the series in two games by limiting the main cogs of the Navigators.

Meanwhile, the Baguio college of Technology (BCT) Atoms salvaged third place by edging the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals, 84-80, while the UB Lady Cardinals took another step in completely ending the University of the Cordilleras (UC) reign in basketball by silencing the Lady Jaguars, 83-80, in Game One of their own Best of Three championship series.

By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS

Banner photo by: Charlene Favis, UP Baguio College of Arts and Communication

(November 24, 8:00 PM update)

Navigators nails right to face Cardinals for the 2018 BBEAL title

The Saint Louis University (SLU) Navigators overcame twice to beat advantage of the Baguio College of Technology by pocketing back-to-back heart-pounding games to get back in the Finals of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL)

The Navigators had to go through the eye of the needle to make the finals appearance, the first time since they got there in 2009, when their coach, Raymond Austria, was still a player.

They have to overhaul a 5-point deficit in the dying seconds of regulation to tie the game and nearly squandered a 5-point lead in the final minute of overtime, forced into making a crucial basket instead to get 76-75 win in Game 2 of their semifinals matchup held Saturday afternoon, November 24, 2018 at the University of Baguio (UB) Gym.

The Navigators had to sink a trey, drew some luck as BCT missed two of two from the line, and convert a drive within 24 seconds to send the game to extra period.

Then, while seemingly safely leading 74-69 under a minute left in overtime, have to endure a 6-0 by the Atoms and have to bring up the leather to their front court and manufacture a key basket in the paint during the final 15 seconds to preserve the win.

This came at the heels of their 69-67 win yesterday to force the rubbher match.

Coming back from compromising positions was also the situation the Navigators found themselves on the road to the finals.

They lost two of three matches in the eliminations to barely sneak in the next round as the third seed with a 1-2 record but came up big in crossover phase, downing the defending champions University of Cordilleras (UC) Jaguars and the Atoms to climb back to contention.

Waiting for them in the finals is another tough challenge in the  UB Cardinals who are undefeated this season, winning all their seven games so far.

The finals games are scheduled next weekend.

By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS

(November 24, 10:00 AM update)

Cardinals back in the Finals; UB, UC dispute Distaff crown

The University of Baguio (UB) Cardinals ended a spirited run by the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals by ending their season, 94-81, in yesterday’s semifinals to return to the finals of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) Basketball competitions, a division they dominated for so long.

This came after they wrapped up their crossover phase undefeated as they defeated the Saint Louis University (SLU) Navigators, 80-75; the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cavaliers, 95-59; and ending the repeat hopes of defending champions University of the Cordilleras (UC) Jaguars, 79-60, to finish with a clean record of 7-0.

The Admirals, meanwhile, had to settle for the battle of the bronze. After barely getting through the elimination phase with an even 2-2 record, they downed the defending champs and the Cavaliers to take the fourth seed via a higher quotient.

The Cardinals were possessing twice to beat advantage in their semis match-up.

In the distaff side, the Lady Cardinals and the Lady Jaguars finished off their respective opponents in just one game to set-up another date in the finals.

The Lady Cardinals overcame a huge lead to outlast the Lady Navigators, 65-64, while the Lady Jags relegated the Lady Cavaliers to the battle for third, 71-61.

Meanwhile, the other slot for the finals in the men’s division was still undecided when the Navigators hacked out a pulsating 69-67 win over the Baguio College of Technology (BCT) Atoms.

The Navigators’ win send their semis match to sudden-death, which will be played today, Saturday, November 24, at the University of Baguio Gym.

By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS

Semis results:
Nov 24, Saturday:
SlU 76, BCT 75.

Nov 23, Friday
Women:
UB 65, SLU 64;
UC 71, PMA 61.

Men:
SLU 69, BCT 67;
UB 94, CCDC 81.

Results of previous games:

Men:

Nov 21 (Wed):
UB 79, UC 60 (M).

Nov 19 (Mon):
UB 90, SLU 70 (M).

Nov 16 (Fri):
UB 95, PMA 59 (M);

Nov 15 (Thu):
SLU 92, BCT 86 (M);

Nov 14 (Wed):
CCDC 74, PMA 66 (M).

Nov 13 (Tue):
BCT 94, UC 90 (M).

Nov 12 (Mon):
SLU 95, CCDC 71 (M);

Nov 11 (Sun):
BCT 85, PMA 73 (M).

Nov 10 (Sat):
CCDC 96, UC 79. (M)

End of eliminations
Oct 29:
UB 84, BCT 67.
BCT’s Armando Pollante a DNP due to suspension.

Oct 28:
CCDC 127, UPB 21;
PMA 108, BSU 72;
UC 88, SLU 80.

Oct 27:
BCU 107, UPB 40;
SLU 125, BSU 42.

Oct 26:
BCT 105, CCDC 88;
UB 89, BCU 69.
UC 79, PMA 67

Oct 24:
UB 105, CCDC 93.

Oct 21:
PMA 91, SLU 78;
UB 131, UPB 26;
BCT 93, BCU 66;
UC 134, BSU 65.

Oct 20:
BCT 128, UPB 46;
CCDC 79, BCU 64.

Women:

Nov 21 (Wed):
UC 76, UB 70 (W).

Nov 19 (Mon):
BCT 66, PCC 33 (W);
UB 69, PMA 47 (W).

Nov 16 (Fri):
UC 80, SLU 75 (W).

Nov 15 (Thu):
UB 108, PCC 24 (W).

Nov 14 (Wed):
SLU 52, PMA 41 (W)

Nov 13 (Tue):
UC 79, BCT 63 (W)

Nov 12 (Mon):
SLU 84, PCC 13 (W);

Nov 11 (Sun):
PMA 82, BCT 54. (W),

End of eliminations
Oct 28:
UB 79, SLU 69.

Oct 27:
PMA 124, KCP 23.

Oct 26:
UB 78, BCT 54.

Oct 24:
UC 96, PMA 61.

Oct 21:
UC 114, KCP 14;
PMA 131, PC 10.

Oct 20:
PCC 57, KCP 39;
SLU 72, BCT 30.

(November 16 update)

Navs, Admirals made noise in BBEAL tiffs

Baguio City – Group A third seed Saint Louis University (SLU) and  Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) set their respective crossover campaign on a high note as pulled crucial victories in the crossover phase of the 2018 Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) basketball competitions this week.

Coming in as the last teams to qualify to the crossover phase in their respective brackets, the heavy underdogs who had disappointing losses during the eliminations, both the Navigators and Admirals came with guns ablaze and recorded crucial wins to enhance their chances for a spot in the top four.

The Admirals first drew a resounding upset over Defending Champion University of the Cordilleras (UC), 96-79, on the first day of the crossover phase on November 10, 2018.

After failing to ride the momentum and falling to the Navigators, 71-95, on November 12, they made up for it two days later by outlasting the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cavaliers, 74-66, to wrap up their crossover assignments.

The win pushed the Admirals’ win-loss record to 4-3 and sweeten their chances to get back to the BBEAL Final Four.

On the other hand, the Navigators quickly erased doubts of naysayers, who questioned their capability to advance to the next round because its bad loss to the Cavaliers in the eliminations, by routing the Admirals in its first assignment.

They followed this one up with a 92-86 pulsating win over last year’s runner-up, the Baguio College of Technology (BCT) Atoms to remain undefeated in their first two games.

They were scheduled to complete their crossover assignments against the University of Baguio (UB) Cardinals tomorrow for a hassle-free ride to the next round.

A win would push the Navs back to the Final Four.

Meanwhile, last year’s powerhouses are trending in opposite directions.

After winning their first three games in the eliminations,  tragedy, albeit probably because of their own doing, struck their campaign in their last game as center Armando Pollante got a DNP due to suspension, and eventually expulsion from the league.

This, however, did not seem to alter the Atoms strong campaign as they avoided further punishment for fielding an illegible player and came out strong in the crossover games instead.

They scattered the Cavaliers, 94-90, in their first game before pulling revenge over the University of the Cordilleras (UC) Jaguars, 94-90, on November 13. Their loss to the Navs forced them to settle to a 5-2 record but good enough to probably secure a twice to beat advantage in the next round.

The defending champion Jaguars started the tournament on a house of fire, racking up three straight wins to look good in its quest for a three-peat, a feat achieved only by perennial champion Cardinals.

The long lay-off, however, seemed to worked against them as they couldn’t get it going in the crossover phase.

As if their two losses were not despairing enough, their fate of advancing will depend on a match-up with the 4-0 Cardinals on Wednesday. Another loss combine with a Navigators win could send them for an early vacation.

The Cardinals were still to play a single game in the crossover phase as of press time due to a head-scratching scheduling of games by the league.

The Cavaliers’ fate of advancing is also depending on the result of their match-up with the Cardinals. (See full standings in page 15)

By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS

(Nov 11 update)

Admirals torpedoes Jaguars, set crossover campaign riding a wave

Baguio City – Group B third seed Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) set its crossover campaign on a high note as it pulled an upset over Defending Champion University of the Cordilleras (UC), 96-79, on the first day of the 2018 Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) crossover phase yesterday, November 10, 2018.

The Admirals, the last team to qualify for the crossover phase of Group B with a record of 2-2, behind UB’s 4-0 and BCT’s 3-1, blanked the Jaguars for more than five minutes of the final period to pull the upset.

The Admirals pushed the throttle early in the game to take an early big lead, 32-17, at the end of the first quarter before the Jaguars cut it to just nine by halftime, 50-41.

A furious rally by the Jaguars pushed them to tie the game 79-all, a little over five minutes left in the fourth period.

But the Admirals refused to be rattled and clamped down the Jaguars while pouring 17 of their own to start their playoff chase on a winning note.

The inspiring win elated CCDC honcho Dean James  Malaya, who hopes his troops continue their winning ways and get back into the finals since it has been a while when the Buyagan, La Trinidad-based school held up a trophy.

Although the Admirals last reached the BBEAL finals just two years ago when they defaulted the title to the University of Baguio Cardinals in a controversy marred championship series, they last tasted championship champagne way back in 2008 when they took down the Saint Louis University Navigators during the Harold Sabado era.

By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS, 11/11/18

(Nov 4 update)

Guiao graces BBEAL Opening; Jaguars, Cardinals top Group eliminations

Philippine Basketball National Team head coach Yeng Guiao graced the opening of 32^nd Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) even as the University of the Cordilleras (UC) Jaguars and the University of Baguio (UB) Cardinals came out unscathed, both in the men and women division, during the group stage eliminations of the basketball competitions.

The Jaguars edged out the Navigators, 88-80, to finish on top of Group A with an immaculate 3-0 record and dropping the Navs to their second defeat in three games.

Their lady counterparts routed the Pines City College (PCC) Lady Warriors, 140-11, to also finish their group undefeated.

On the other hand, the Cardinals handed the Baguio College of Technology (BCT) Atoms their first loss, 84-67, in a battle of undefeated teams to finish with a 4-0 record

The Atoms played this game with tapes on their jerseys to protest the suspension bigman Armando Pollante. According to reports, Pollante was booted out of the league after committing violations on legibility rules.

Joining the Jaguars and the Cardinals in the crossover stage are the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cavaliers (2-1) and the Navigators of Group A and the Atoms and the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals (2-2) of Group B.

In the distaff side, the Lady Cavaliers trail the Lady Jaguars in their group with 2-1 record while the Lady Navigators tail the Lady Cardinals with a 1-1 record.

Meanwhile, National Basketball Head Coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao was the guest speaker during the opening ceremonies held last October 27, 2018 at the UB Gym.

Guiao emphasized to athletes the part of education that sports gives to athletes in dealing with handling life’s trials and tribulations.

He also mentioned the presence of athletes in the provinces that could potentially become national athletes and how BBEAL could become part of their discovery and training ground.

He mentioned about the sacrifices of becoming a national athlete and why they had to be taught first of loving their respective sport.

“Teach them how to love the sport first”, he said to the coaches. “And then when they will love the sport, they will make the sacrifice.”

The BBEAL games is set to continue after the All Saints Day break.

Also set to take place are the other events as follows: Archery on November 18 and 24 at the University of the Philippines-Baguio Court A, Badminton on November 18 and 24 at the UB Gymnasium, Baseball on November 17, 18 and 24 at the Benguet State University grounds, chess on November 18 and 24 at the UB Gynasium, sepak takraw on November 18 at the SLU covered court, swimming on November 18 at the Baguio Athletic Bowl, table tennis on November 18 and 24 at the UB Gymnasium, and Wushu Sanshou on November 18 at Camp 7.

By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS