JOSE Rizal Bombers and Adamson Falcons shot to the lead with two wins a piece in the opening rounds of the 2015 Philippine Colleges and Universities Alumni Basketball tournament at Marrickville Police-Citizens Youth Club stadium on Sunday, March 29.
By JAIME K PIMENTEL
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Of eight teams entered, three were unbeaten including the Ateneo Sea Eagles who drew round one and won the second.
Mapua Cardinals, La Salle Archers, and Angeles Universities Jets each won one round and lost one. Still to win a game were the University of the Philippines Maroons, and Tech Pilipinas Mechanics.
It was the second year of the collegiate basketball tournament, this time opening with a colourful ceremony that featured teams marching in with their attractive muses, a mala-haka chant by La Salle’s team led by cheerleader El Miguel.
The 2014 Miss Charity Princess Desa Santos sang the Philippine national anthem, followed by the Maroons’ muse Jasmine Henry who sang the Australian anthem.
Special guest Philippine Consul and University of the Philippines alumnus Marford Angeles, gave a pep talk before tossing the first ball for the opening game between the Bombers and Angeles Jets.
In Group B, last year’s champion Angeles Jets went down to the Bombers, 41-59, in the opening game. The Cardinals defeated the Mechanics, 57-32; Bombers defeated the Mechanics, 50-42, and the Jets rolled the Cardinals, 76-58.
In group A, the Falcons demolished the Maroons, 41-22; the Sea Eagles and the Archers drew, 56-56; the Falcons trounced the Archers 61-49; the Falcons sunk the Maroons, 63-23; and the Sea Eagles blasted the Maroons, 63-23.
The day’s top scorers over two games were Cardinals’ Jaqson Arellano on 42 points, Archers’ Mark Franco on 40, Jets’ Byron Murphy on 38, and Sea Eagles’ Travis Mantua on 35.
The next round of elimination games takes place on Sunday, April 12. The semi-finals and grand final take place on from 9am on Sunday, April 19.
The Falcons’ Alyssa Manalo was picked muse of the day, followed by runners-up Chantelle Torres of the Cardinals Chantelle Torres and Gabby Escubio of the Mechanics.
The Bombers won the trophy for the best uniform.
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Pictures:
Top right shows Bombers jumping to score against the Jets. Lower left is Maroons muse Jasmine Henry leading the Australian anthem. Lower right are teams on parade. Bottom left is Sea Eagles on the attack against the Maroons. ~ Top right photo by RAYMOND POLICARPIO
