USC-North, Don Bosco start hot in RCTV hoop

University of San Carlos-North Campus (USC-NC) nipped University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), 60-59, at the start of the elimination round in the RCTV Inter-School Basketball Cup held at Bright Academy basketball court in Banilad.

USC-North edged USJ-R in the first quarter as they took a two point lead, 16-14. They continued to pounce on, maintaining their stance to end the first half, 36-27.

But USJ-R staged a daring comeback with only two minutes and four seconds left in the third quarter, leveling the score, 40-40.

It was then that USC-North strengthened up their defense and never allowed their opponents to maneuver the game, 49-45, to end the third canto.

It was a hot start for both teams in the fourth quarter as Dan Bercede and Nicholas Magat of USC-North leading the team by pouring out sure shots, which was also responded by USJ-R's Joshua Rentuza and Caritan.

Another nerve-wracking game ensued as the scores went 59-all in the dying seconds of the final quarter.

But Rentuza committed a foul against Bercede with 2.5 seconds in the final quarter, sending Bercede to the charity line, which he successfully made for the final, 60-59, outcome.

In the opener, Don Bosco College dumped University of San Carlos-South Campus, 86-51.

In the opening ceremonies, The Freeman's Managing Editor, Nimrod L. Quiñones together with Ryan Rodis of RCTV made the ceremonial toss.

The scores

First Game:

DBTC (86)- Lapitan 19, Parilla 13, Malicdem 10, Tesaluna 9, Javier 7, Bacalso 6, Dela Torre 6, Rodriguez 6, Tan 4, Belangel 2, Diaz 2, Mellana 2

USC-S (51)- Sepe 13, Techera 12, Ocampo 7, Carbon 5, Codilla 4, Nacua 4, Nwanaka 4, Jagupit 2

Second Game:

USC-N (60)- Bercede 23, Magat 11, Alocillo 5, Uy 5, Caumeran 4, Santos 4, Omolon 3, Tiu 3, Negapatan 2

USJ-R (59)- Rentuza 15, Caritan 12, Ponseca 9, Senining 7, Villarin 6, Cabanes 4, Semporious 3, Heredia 2, Corominas 1