The Crusaders will face the defending champions University of the East Red Warriors on Nov. 17 at the Makati Coliseum.
Awaiting the winner there will be Big Eight opponent Ateneo or Jose Rizal College on Nov. 20 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Point guard Dave Nasiad, who could give UE’s Paul Artadi some problems, led Holy Cross with 16 points, while shooters Randy Lahay-Lahay 15 and John Paul Escobal and Alexander Bower 11 points each.
Rugged play and simmering emotions spilled over with 3:19 remaining in the game when play was halted after West Negros’ Ronald Quilantang and Holy Cross’ Alejandro Quisumbing threw punches at each other under the Crusaders’ basket.
When the two players were separated, the two coaches took their turn at center court, with WNC’s Elvis Atinado and HCDC’s Jesus Ramon Pido, once West Negros Mustangs teammates, shouting at each other.
Traditional rivals in the Uni-Games, the Crusaders exacted vengeance at the Mustangs who beat them in Dasmariñas, Cavite a few months ago.
"UE kaagad ang kalaban? Malakas na team yon but we’ll do our best. Nakakalaro na rin naman namin sila," said Pido, a veteran PBL player. "Against West Negros, we were able to break their full-court press in the second half; that was the key."
The Northern qualifying leg, ongoing at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, will determine which team will represent Luzon in the national tournament.