UC bows out in PCCL

The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters gave it their all but ran out of ammunition in the endgame as they succumbed to the reigning NCAA champions San Beda Red Lions, 77-83, in the semifinals of the 2011 Philippine Collegiate Champions League yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

After being blasted by the reigning UAAP and PCCL champions Ateneo Blue Eagles, 53-100, in their opening game last Monday, the Webmasters came back and displayed uncanny grit and outside shooting in the face of a San Beda squad that was also hungry for a win after losing to San Sebastian, 72-87.

But the game was the Red Lions’ to take as they took advantage of the Webmasters’ zone defense and buried five three-pointers in the fourth period, none more lethal than the one that was shot by former University of San Jose-Recoletos gunner Mar Villahermosa that gave San Beda an 82-75 lead with 1:15 left.

The win by San Beda paved the way for the San Sebastian Stags to make it to the finals and clinch the twice-to-beat advantage. Earlier, the Stags eked out a come-from-behind 70-69 win over the Blue Eagles with NCAA MVP Calvin Abueva getting 20 points and 11 rebounds to pick up the slack left behind by Ronald Pascual, who sustained an ACL injury to his left knee in their last game.

The Eagles appeared headed for an easy win as they led, 65-53, with five minutes left in the game. However, the Stags came roaring back behind Abueva and Sangalang, whose short turnaround jumper with 52.6 ticks left gave San Sebastian the lead for good, 68-66. Ateneo guard Kirk Long actually hit a potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer but his shot was waved off as it did not come in time.

Sangalang ended up with 18 points while Greg Slaughter led Ateneo with 16 points.

UC takes on the Stags tomorrow while Ateneo and San Beda figure in a battle for the last ticket to the finals on Friday.