VACATION has to wait for the University of Baguio Cardinals after forcing a rubber match against second seeded Baguio College of Technology Atoms in their semis clash in men’s basketball of the ongoing Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League season 31.
The third seeded Cardinals topped the Atoms in a convincing win, 85-70, at the SLU Prince Bernhard Gym to avoid an early exit in the biggest collegiate league in the north and prove their earlier win against the same squad in the eliminations round was no fluke.
Paul Aquino led UB with 18, while Erik Victorio added 14 , who after an 0-2 start in the ball game cruised to a 18–15 lead at the end of the opening canto.
From then on, the Cardinals never looked back and started to pull away in the second period outscoring the Atoms, 22–12 to enjoy a 42–27 lead by halftime.
"Parang ganun na nga po, mabagal sa simula," said John Paul Abu, whose team lost to SLU and UC by five and four points in the first round.
Big man Armando Pollante and sweet shooting Rynil Amargo led the Atoms with 20 points apiece, while Azzir Rabara added 10 for the league’s smallest member.
Trailing the ball game at 49–36 with 6:20 remaining and their backs on the wall, the Atoms tried to salvage their season with Amargo scoring five straight points to stay within striking distance, 49–41, at the 5:42 mark of the third period.
But the Cardinals had other things in mind as out close out the third period on a 19–9 run capped by a back to back triple from Maenard Rae Razo to end the period with a 68–54 lead. (Roderick Osis)