Games Today at WNU Gym

5 p.m.UNO-R vs. USLS
6:30 p.m.WNU vs. CSA

Defending champion West Negros University Mustangs and the resurging University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Rams hope to clinch the top two spots in the team standings for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals as games in the NOPSSCEA men’s basketball resume this afternoon at the WNU Gym.

At the end of the elimination round today, the No. 1 team will advance to the semifinals on Sunday against No. 4 squad, while No. 2 will clash against No. 3, with the top two teams enjoying a twice-to-beat edge.

After bringing the games to different venues in the elimination round, tournament officials said the semifinals and best-of-three finals will be held at WNY Gym.

Eyeing their 14th straight NOPSSCEA title, the WNU Mustangs managed to beat twice last year’s first runner-up University of St. La Salle Stingers, and had their revenged against the UNO-R Rams, in their Sept. 16 match-up.

In their first encounter in the tournament, the Rams dealt the Mustangs their first loss in a 106-103 double overtime played at the La Salle Coliseum.

While they remain as the heavy favorite to win the championship this year, the Mustangs have been showing some chinks in their armor as they narrowly escaped defeat on several occasions against the three other teams.

The game against the Stingers on Sept. 7 had the Mustangs hanging on a slim margin in the final minutes. Costly turn-overs on the Stingers’ side in the final minutes allowed the Wesnecans to pull of a four-point victory at 93-89.

Against the Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod Eagles in their second game, the WNU squad also had a hard time putting away the feisty Eagles at their homecourt at the CSA-B Gym, before setting for another four-point win at 69-65.

Meanwhile, UNO-R shoots for its fourth triumph in the tournament against USLS in today at 5 p.m.

After dropping its first assignment against the Eagles in the curtain-raiser, 67-54, the Rams bounced back with an 11-point taming of the Stingers, 85-74, then beat the Mustangs at the end of the first round.*NAB

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