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REIGNING National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) champions San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) Cavite Baycats started their bid for a berth in the Sweet 16 of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) on a winning note as they beat sister squad University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 86-77, in the Cebu interzonal qualifying games yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The Baycats leaned on MVP Jun Gracilla and the timely hits of big man Tom Basa in crunch time to hack out the crucial win.
San Sebastian was ahead, 73-69, in the fourth period when the Jaguars made their move and took the driver's seat, 74-73, after consecutive makes by Jemar dela Pena and a free-throw by Edwin Bibera.
The Baycats ratted in six straight points, four of which coming from reserve forward Tom Basa including one that beat the shot clock with 1:41 left in the game. A basket by Raymund Alcasaba put them in front 79-74 but that lead was sliced down to just two after a booming three-pointer by USJ-R's Aniceto Lapiz with 33 ticks left on the clock.
That proved to be the Jaguars' last hurrah as Lyle Antipuesto made two free-throws followed by a three-point play by Gracilla that put the game away in the Baycats' favor.
Gracilla topped San Sebastian with 21 points. USJ-R was led by the 16 markers of dela Pena.
Meanwhile, the University of San Carlos Warriors inched closer towards a berth in the Sweet 16 stage after they bested hosts and 11-time NOPSSCEA champions West Negros College Mustangs, 71-58, at the LNA Memorial Sports Center in Bacolod City. Correspondent Jonas Panerio
