UC MUSE THE BEST, UL RULES 3-POINT, SLAM DUNK CONTESTS

August 5, 2023 Community Billboard

A University of the Cordilleras dance group member and two players from the University of Luzon
were the first winners in the newly launched 12 school Z League Inter-Collegiate Basketball Tournament at the University of Baguio gym last Saturday. Gwyneth Gonzaga used her dancing skills to be adjudged the muse of the day as some even called for a flip, but instead saw her do some
splits as she won the favor of the crowd and the judges.

It was a performance that paled the presentation of her competitors from the Baguio Central University, Saint Louis University, Cordillera Career Development College, Baguio College of Technology and host UB, who finished third and second, respectively, aside from the Pangasinan teams of UL , Philippine College of Science and Technology and WCC Aeronautical School.

CHESAA 1 champion Northwestern Lyceum of the Philippines were unable to join the opening ceremonies and four inaugural games. UL players dominated the special games with Jumel Sansano sinking 13 points of a possible 18 to win the three point shootout. After qualifying with 10
markers in the elimination, Sansano drained four of the five balls including the money ball at the opening rack to complete his romp as his opponents from PhilCST and UC failed to match his consistency.

Lyndon Matbagan could have equalized despite missing on his penultimate ball but the official’s table buzzed for an end of play despite him still holding the last which was a moneybag worth two points. After a momentary break, he posed for the shot which hit the rim and out. It was a UL showdown in the slam dunk contest with Mark Christian Meneses seeing his team mate flob his three attempts before finishing with a rather safe dunk to win the PHP5000 cash and PHP5,000
worth of gift checks.

It was the same prize won both by Sansano and Gonzaga. Games immediately ensued with UL facing the Navigators of SLU. Games Sunday will be at CCDC in Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet while PMA hosts on Tuesday at Fort del Pilar. “It is great to see our college players play again after
three years of no play due to the Covid 19 pandemic,” said Humilde. “La Union wanted to have a team but they were unable to complete a line up before the game started. Hopefully in the next season we will have them and more teams,” he added.Uncle Edwin Humilde, a former varsity, urged the players to play friendly and not hurt their opponents. “We want to see you have more friends after this tournament,” he added.

Pigeon Lobien/ABN