Negrense cagers in UAAP

MANILA --- Three Negros Occidental-bred standouts made their debut in the Philippines’ premiere collegiate basketball league over the weekend with former West Negros College standouts Sivirino Baclao suiting up for Ateneo De Manila University and cousin Sunny Abaring and John Blargs Alisbo playing for Far Eastern University in the 70th UAAP Season here.

Roel Hugnatan and Leo Canuday also returned to action for Adamson University, which lost to Baclao’s ADMU team, 63-69, in overtime at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City yesterday.

The 6-foot-4 Baclao was a starter for the Blue Eagles but he did not make an immediate impact, picking up two quick fouls that led to his relegation to the bench until midway in the third quarter. When he returned, he became a key factor as Ateneo went on a decisive run that put the Eagles ahead, 43-37, entering the fourth period.

Baclao scored his only points off a putback. He also finished with two rebounds in 12 minutes of action.

The 6-foot-3 Hugnatan got the better of his match-up with Baclao, finishing with 14 points, mostly from post up moves in 36 minutes. The Adamson center also hauled 11 rebounds.

Like Hugnatan, Canuday was also a starter for the Falcons and registered eight points in 34 minutes.

Both Alisbo and Abaring came off the bench in a 70-73 overtime loss to National University Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Abaring patrolled the middle briefly in the second and third quarters, hitting a triple from the top of the key that proved to be his only points of the match.

Alisbo’s minutes were limited and he sat on the bench the entire second half with FEU coach Glen Capacio leaving him out of the point guard rotation.

Before their transfer with the UAAP schools, Abaring, Alisbo and Baclao were among the key players in WNC’s successful title run in the 2005 National University Games and the 2006 National Schools Basketball Championships. *CPT