Warriors, Cards storm to quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Prolific guard Paul Lee churned out a rare triple-double as he spearheaded University of the East’s rout of the University of Cebu, 105-86, in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Lee collected 31 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, underscoring the Warriors determined bid to hurdle the Webmasters and book a slot in the quarterfinals of the elite tournament staking P500,000 to the champion.

Pari Llagas contributed 17 points and five rebounds while Elmer Espiritu chipped in 14 points and three assists for the Warriors who advanced to the quarters versus the FEU Tamaraws.

Rene Baena called the shots for UE in the absence of head coach Lawrence Chongson but the Warriors hardly departed from their run-and-gun game, beating the Webmasters by 15 points, 21-6, on fastbreak points.

The Warriors did a good job neutralizing highly touted UC center Jun Fajardo, getting the rebounds that enabled the team to score heavily on transition plays.

Forward Barnett Rogado put in a team-high 25 points while Fajardo piled up 24 points and 12 rebounds but committed six turnovers.

The Warriors pummeled the Webmasters in the first two quarters, sustaining the siege in the third before slowing down a bit at the finish to settle for a 19-point victory.

UE took a 28-23 lead in the first quarter before making it 53-43 at the half and 83-61 after the third period.

Mapua dominated the game in the second and fourth quarters and overcame University of Visayas, 76-73, in a highly physical game later in the day.

Mark Sarangay came through with a three-point play then Perry Guillermo banged in a twinner clinching the Cardinals’ upset win. over the highly-touted Greg Slaughter and his UV teammates in this event sponsored by PLDT, Smart, ABS-CBN, The Philippine STAR and Molten.

Slaughter’s efforts, including 22 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks, went for naught on their sorry loss.

Mapua, a zonal qualifier, advanced to the Elite Eight versus San Beda College.

University of San Carlos hopes to become the lone non-Metro Manila team to make the quarters as it tangles with San Sebastian tomorrow in Ormoc City.

The final day of Sweet Sixteen action also pits Santo Tomas versus Jose Rizal U.