Alabang Red Lions on a knock-out game vs Perps Laguna

From Inboundpass.com/Chris Soler

University of Perpetual Help System Laguna upended their higher-ranked rival to force a pair of winner-take-all games in the Final Four of NCAA-South Season 12 at the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities Indoor Sports Arena in Tanauan City, Batangas last Wednesday, October 20.

Perpetual Help Laguna struck first and upset top-ranked San Beda College-Alabang, 72-63.

The Red Lions, who swept the elimination round with an immaculate 9-0 win-loss card, just couldn’t keep in step with the raging Saints and thus faced the prospect of a knockout game, which will be held at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow, October 21, at the FAITH campus. The upset-minded cagers from Biñan drew more than enough firepower from sharp-shooting sniper Jake Yagonia, who cashed in on five triples en route to a game-high 23 points.

SBC-A ace assassin James Panaligan’s absence, a one-game suspension following a disqualifying foul he incurred in his team’s last game, proved too costly for the Red Lions, who struggled especially in the second period. Swingman Ivan Gallardo led their cause with 21 points.

The winner of the NCAA-South will clinch a berth in the 2010 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Luzon-Metro Manila zonals, where four Sweet 16 tickets will be up for grabs.