BACOLOD City – The Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod Eagles and the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos emerged as champions in the NOPSSCEA collegiate basketball held recently at the USLS Gym here.
The Eagles captured the men’s division championship after a 63-61 escape over University of St. La Salle-Bacolod Stingers in the tightly contested do-or-die Game 3 of the finals.
The Eagles showed steadiness in the second half to overcome the Stingers and end their over three decades of NOPSSCEA championship futility.
Spearheading the team are Saldy Cagayanan Macabato, Rowel Negro, Carl Demrey, Lander Keith Tuballa, Pauljohn Dioleste Bautista, Adrian John Ondon, Kenneth Rae Malazarte, John Mycco Samson Deposoy, and Real John Bodoso Patanao.
Also part of the roster are Jake Laodenio Mukaida, Jemar Cepriano, Nathan Jundana, Cary Bruce Aure, Lorreal Arculo, Sean Vincent Sesaldo, Andrie Martin Dubouzet, Fulgen Anthony Paderog, Mico Jano Exaltado, Ranier Estrada, and Peter Navarro.
The Eagles drew first blood in Game 1 with a score of 92-78, but the Stingers bounced back in Game 2, 76-69, to force the winner-take-all Game 3.
Meanwhile, UNO-R completed a three-peat in the women’s division after their 76-65 victory over USLS Lady Stingers in Game 2 of the best-of-three title series. Charity Gicana spearheaded the offense with 28 markers.
Gicana, who previously played for the University of Santo Tomas Junior Growling Tigresses, also put up 26 markers to lead UNO-R to Game 1 victory over USLS, 63-46.
“This victory is a testament to the power of faith, teamwork, and the incredible support of our religious administrators, coaches (Melchar Jerez, Kiara Isabelle Mejica, Claire Dawn Macanan, and Sir Ericson S. Rios), the UNO-R community, and all who prayed for,” the UNO-R wrote on their social media page./PN
