BACOLOD City – STI-West Negros University and the University of St. La Salle kept their untarnished slate heading into the last two elimination round dates of the 1st United Negros Basketball League Aspirants Basketball Cup 2023 this weekend.
STI-WNU nailed back-to-back wins last Sunday when it defeated Luisa Medel National High School in the morning before edging Bacolod City National High School (BCNHS), 62-56, in the afternoon at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School here.
Against BCNHS, the Jack Tumayan-mentored STI-WNU had an early double-digit lead but their opponent clawed back in the second frame to take a 26-24 lead before the latter pulled away anew in the second half and prevented the former’s late rally.
Ed Christein Marinduque led the way with 12 points, Jovel Thomas Gonzales added 11 markers, while Kyle Matthew Barrieta and Francis Bayog combined for 19 as the STI-WNU improved to 5-0 in Bracket A.
The BCNHS, currently with 2-2 win-loss record, was spearheaded by John Erik Pallan Cagalcal with 13 points, Cyril Salumag chipped in 11 markers and Chryster Priolo with seven points.
University of St. La Salle also improved to 5-0 after beating a pesky Bacolod Tay Tung High School Team B, 74-63, behind the 16 points of Gian Alexis Vasquez and John Troy Newman and Leou Jaemiel Leonero 11 and 10 points, respectively.
On Wednesday evening, St. Joseph School-La Salle bolstered their quarterfinals hopes after notching their third win in five matches with a 57-51 victory over University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (3-3).
Jameer Angelo Gapusan spearheaded the attack for the Alvin Mahilum-mentored SJS-LS with 18 points, while Kian Victor Tabefranca and Raishem Neil Rojas ended with 15 and 10 markers, respectively.
Matthew Depamalyo was the lone double-digit scorer for the Herbel Bello-coached UNO-R with 10 markers, while Jayven Pachoro chipped in nine markers.
Elimination round will end this weekend with the top four teams from each bracket advancing to the knockout quarterfinals round, to be followed by the semifinals and championship round./PN
