The junior Rams from University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos stamped their class by beating the junior from Stingers University of St. La Salle-Integrated School, 70-42, in the finals Monday to advance to the regional finals of the 2012 Coca-Cola Youngstars at the West Negros University gym.

With Emmanuel Bernales tallying 17 points, the Gerome Aledron-mentored UnoRians grabbed the provincial crown, while relegating the La Sallians to first runner-up.

UNO-R took control of the game as early as the first quarter as the squad posted a seven-point lead at 14-7, with Patrick Dave Yulo scoring four points and Polo Miguel Lopingco with three points.

Mark Lascano delivered six points for UNO-R in the second quarter to keep their team ahead, while Yulo added four more points to his credit as the Rams pulled away with a 30-19 halftime advantage.

In the third quarter, USLS failed to contain UNO-R’s offense and fell back at 31-50 as Bernales and Ramon Isaac dela Torre hit eight points each for the Rams, while Yulo added four points.

USLS can only managed a combined 10-point output from three players – Astro Love Vista, Neil Felix Besa and Antonio.

Making sure that the La Sallians will not be able to pull of a last minute rally, without letup, UNO-R poured in more points from their key players led by Bernales, Lascanao and Dela Torre.

Dela Torre finished the game 16 points, while Yulo and Lascano had 12 points each and Audre Vivero chipped in eight points.

Antonio led La Salle scorers with 14 points, Rabor added nine points, Besa tallied seven, Joey Rey Oria had six points, while Peter John Rabor, who topscored for USLS-IS in their semifinals clash against St. John Institute was limited to seven points.

The regional finals will start this Saturday with UNO-R facing the champion teams from Iloilo and Cebu with the winner advancing to the national finals on May 27 to June 1 in Manila.*NAB

back to top

UNO-R advances to reg’l finals in Coca Cola PBA Youngstars1
BBC/Amazing ’09 captures  USLS/LNA7 basketball title