/PNA
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Philippine College (SPC) Sharks Sunday evening overcame the rugged defense of Xavier University Crusaders in the second half and pulled away with an impressive 84-68 win to advance to the championship of the 14th Loyola Cup Collegiate Division at the XU gym.
The Sharks will clash with Philippine Countryville College (PCC) of Maramag, Bukidnon in the championship game Thursday night, also at the XU gym.
PCC earlier leaned on their 6-8 African import Stephane Kazembe to beat Iligan Medical Center College (IMCC) 78-67, to advance to the championship. Kazembe dominated the boards and top scored for the Maramag boys with 24 points.
It will be a very interesting clash on Thursday evening but the Maramag boys will have an advantage as they have already beaten the Sharks, 79-61, in their previous encounter last March 7.
It was a close match between the Sharks and the Crusaders at the start with both teams refusing to give up, with Rudjug Daga and Ron Tanawon leading the Sharks attack in the first half.
But the Crusaders, with Paul Steven Babate and Van Laurence Tindoy taking turns in the offense, and Dario Piatti ruling the defense kept the Sharks at bay, allowing them only to lead by two points, 38-40 at the half.
It was, however, a different story in the third quarter as coach Rey Dangcal made some adjustments that caught the Crusaders flatfooted.
Coach Rocky Calingin of XU had no answers for the Sharks offensive thrusts as the Lico-an boys pulled away and never looked back.
“The game was a test of toughness to my players. It was very physical from the start because XU really wanted to win but my players overcome the physicality without playing dirty by staying tough and maintaining their focus and poise under pressure. Credit to my players,” said Dangcal after the match.
Joel Go and Kobe Canoy led the Sharks attack in the second half while Daga continued his brilliance in the shaded area. Daga finished with 20 points, Go added 18, while Canoy and Tanawon chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Babate topped for the Crusaders with 25 points but got limited support from his teammates, with Tindoy the only other player who finished in double digit with 10 points.
The Crusaders will clash with IMCC Rhinos in the battle for the third place.
