CEBU CITY, Philippines – University of San Carlos rode on a big first half charge to blast Far Eastern University, 88-74, at the start of the Elite Eight stage of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League National Collegiate Championship at the Cebu Coliseum last Thursday.
The La Salle Green Archers overcame the Southwestern University Cobras, 59-54, in the first match.
Prince Rivero hit a clutch basket in the closing minute to give the Archers a 57-54 lead then Robert Bolick iced the win with two free throws.
The Warriors led by as many as 24 points in the second period and withstood a second half surge by the Tamaraws behind the solid play of Congolese Espoir Toyambi and Cameroonian Shooster Olago.
Toyambi scored 11 of his 20 points in the final frame while Olago added 19 markers to lead the Warriors, runners-up in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi).
Mike Tolomia led the Tamaraws with 21 points and UAAP Mythical Five member Mac Belo chipped in 13 markers but missed several shots down the stretch.
A strong start pushed the Warriors to a 23-10 lead in the first 10 minutes and padded it to 34-10 following an 11-0 run capped by former Mapua Cardinal Nico Magat at the start of the second quarter.
Tolomia hit 10 points in a 19-3 counterattack as the Tams narrowed the gap, 44-35, at the half.
The Tamaraws pulled to within 53-54, but Olago scored five straight points at the close of the third quarter as the Warriors regained a 62-56 lead going into the final period.
FEU made its last-ditch stand, coming to within, 72-76, but Toyambi sparked a closing 12-2 run.
The Champions League (PCCL) National Collegiate Championship is sponsored by ABS-CBN, Phoenix Petroleum, Molten Balls, Fil-Oil Flying V Sports, Fog City Creamery and Foccacia. Tickets are available at SM Tickets online.
For more information, visit www.CollegiateChampionsLeague. net.
The scores:
First Game
La Salle 59 – Teng 11, Rivero 9, Torres 9, Mbala 8, Pascual 6, Bolick 4, Torralba 2, Mustre 2.
SWU 54 – Tallo 17, Parker 15, Valdor 7, Bregondo 6, Goloran 3, Luz 2, Sanjo 1.
Quarterscores: 12-16, 29-27,45-44, 59-54
Second Game
USC 88 – Toyambi 20, Olago 19, Rabat 10, Magat 10, Tagapan 9, Asuncion 7, Lim 6, Arjon 3, Pepito 2, Bensig 2, Ecarma 0, Igna 0, Malana 0, Adlawan 0.
FEU 74 – Tolomia 21, Belo 13, Cruz 11, Tamsi 8, Trinidad 5, Pogoy 4, Orizu 4, Iñigo 3, Eboña 3, Escoto 2, Jose 0, Denila 0, Delfinado 0, Ugsang 0, Lee Yu 0.
Quarterscores: 23-10, 44-35, 62-56, 88-74