Wave Riders, Ronins, Shipmen, Sharks emerge top seeds

CEBU, Philippines — The 1986 Siargao Wave Riders, 1997 Ronins, 2001A Shipmen and the 2011 Sharks ended their elimination round campaigns on a bright note to come out as top seeds that earned them outright semifinal berths in their respective divisions in the University of San Carlos-North Alumni Basketball Conference (USC-NABC) Cebu City Mayor’s Cup 2019 at the USC-North Campus gym.

Arturo Mata unloaded 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals as the Wave Riders overcame the 1990 Titans, 72-68, to complete a six-game sweep and top the Senior division. The 1998 Barako took the second spot with a 5-1 win-loss slate.

On the other hand, the 1997 Ronins grabbed the No.1 ranking in Division 1 with a 6-1 record after eking out a 68-64 decision over the 1995 Pirates behind the efforts of Jake Saturinas, who finished with 23 points, three assists, and two steals

The Ninety Niners snatched the No.2 slot after drubbing the 1996 Chubbies, 65-52, with Michael Ogdoc cashing in 15 points, 12 rebounds, five steals and four assists.

The Ninety Niners and the Chubbies were actually tied with similar 5-2 cards but the former achieved the better placing by virtue of a simple tie.

In Division 2, the 2001A Shipmen and the 2003 Stallions were the top ranked squads with a 6-1 and 5-2 marks, respectively.

Charles Parrotina starred in the Shipmen’s 75-64 beating of the 2002 Lions with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists.

The Stallions, the 2004 Rebels and the 2005 Chameleons actually figured in a three-way logjam with 5-2 slates but the Stallions claimed the No.2 seeding courtesy of a higher tiebreaker applying the FIBA quotient system.

Not to be outdone, the 2011 Sharks and the 2013 District plucked the top two strings in Division 3 with identical 5-1 cards. Like the rest of the top 2 qualifiers, they automatically advanced to the knockout semis against the winners of the quarterfinal playoffs. (FREEMAN)