So much for homecourt advantage.
Colegio de San Lorenzo had no problems as the visiting team when they handily defeated the host school Jose Rizal University, 83-58, in the opening contest of the 2017-18 Philippine Collegiate Champions League National Capital Regional Qualifiers on Monday, January 15.
The Griffins went on a blistering 28-6 scoring run in the third quarter and never looked back to take control of the ball game, silencing the partisan JRU crowd. Soulemane Chabi yo did much of the heavy lifting for CDSL, tallying 28 points on 9-for-17 shooting from the field. The big man also hauled in 16 rebounds while dishing out four assists.
JRU, playing without their main gunner Teytey Teodoro, struggled to find their groove offensively, recording only eight assists compared to CDSL’s 25. Michael Jhon Perez was the only player in double figures for the Heavy Bombers with 14 points.
In the second game, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons notched their first win in the NCR Qualifiers by downing PATTS Seahorses, 84-79.
Juan Gerardo Gomez de Liano was the big difference for UP. The gunslinger erupted from three-point distance, going 8-for-13 en route to a game-high 28 markers. The other de Liano, Javier Gomez, likewise got in the scoring act by chipping in 15 points of his own.
Four players were in double figures for the Seahorses, led by Louis Capindig with 16, but their efforts were not enough to get the win.
NCR Qualifiers action continue tomorrow with another doubleheader featuring PATTS and San Sebastian in the first game, and Colegio de San Lorenzo battling it out with St. Clare College of Caloocan.
Catch all of the excitement LIVE via Facebook.com/PCCLeague beginning at 1:00PM.