MAKATI CITY – Philippine Christian University manhandled Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, 123-85, in easily the most impressive debut in the 16th National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) basketball tournament at the Makati Coliseum Monday evening (August 29). After their opening day game against Lyceum of Subic Bay was rescheduled to a later date, the Dolphins wasted no time in feasting on the Red Fox, leading all the way and never allowing their opponents to threaten.
So dominant were the Dolphins that they became the first team to hit the 100-point mark with still a good seven six minutes remaining on the clock. The lead ballooned to as much as 45 markers, 110-65, just past the five-minute mark.
Yves Sazon and Von Tambeling led the way for PCU with 34 points each. Sazon earned Best Player honors as he flirted with a triple double with 15 rebounds and six assists.
Bryan Hilario and Tolits Natividad paced the Red Fox with 21 points apiece. Hilario made it a double-double by grabbing 12 rebounds as they absorbed their second loss in as many outings.
PCU’s devastating victory was almost overshadowed by the off-court tug of war between both schools for the rights to rookie Andreas Cahilig that delayed the opening jump by a few minutes. The 6’5” Filipino-Swedish center saw action in EARIST’s 90-98 loss to Enderun Colleges the other day despite protests from the PCU camp.
Cahilig’s name was included in the list submitted by the Dolphins during the league’s screening day last July 26 at Enderun Colleges. Apparently Cahilig had a change of plans after EARIST, his original team, was accepted as a last minute entry two weeks later prompting him to bolt the Dolphins.
Commissioner Matthew “Fritz” Gaston upon recommendation of the NAASCU Board thus barred Cahilig from playing citing the latter’s non-attendance in the special screening session for EARIST. However, EARIST coach Ringo Jimenez said they will file an appeal.
Meanwhile, hostilities in the Juniors and Womens’ Divisions will commence on Tuesday (August 30) at the RTU Gym in Mandaluyong City. Two Women’s and five Juniors games will comprise the heavy seven-game bill slated to begin at 8:00 AM.
How They Scored:
PHILIPPINE CHRISTIAN (123) – Sazon 34, Tambeling 34, Castro 15, Ayonayon 15, Pallatao 7, Catipay 5, Bautista 4, Galit 4, Vasquez 2, Yasa 2, Mescallado 1, Abrigo 0, Malto 0.
E A R I S T (85) – Hilario 21, Natividad 21, Montealegre 11, Cruz 11, Baculpo 11, Cabalsi 7, Bandalan 3, Galvez 0, del Rio 0.
Period Scores: 29-14, 56-36, 86-57, 123-85.
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