NAGA CITY --- The UNC Greyhounds proved superior in the last stretch as they overpowered Ateneo de Naga University Golden Knights Team A, 74-60, during their face-off in the second elimination round of the 4th Red Bull Challenge 2008 Inter-Collegiate Basketbal Tournament at the jampacked Naga City gym here.

        The anticipated hotly contested rematch unfolded with the Ateneans dominating the game with 3, 2, 2 points advantage in the first, second and third quarters, respectively, with ace Golden Knight Julius Vargas pumping thirteen points in the third quarter. Half-time score was 25-21 in favor of the Ateneo. It extended to 50-44 in the third quarter, again in favor of the Ateneo.

        But when the fourth quarter came, the Greyhounds came with their guns ablazing, raking in a total of 30 points down at the final sound of the buzzer. In contrast, the Ateneans during that otherwise decisive quarter could only muster 10 points.

        The surprise dominant player of the game was UNC’s Marlon Casaldon who, while scoreless in the first three quarters, peppered the basket with a total of 10 field goals, two free throws, and a trey that became the game’s biggest exclamation point.

        In the earlier match, Universidad de Sta. Isabel cagers humbled the dribblers from Naga College Foundation, 69-66.


HARD BALL. Fierce rivals UNC and Ateneo tangle for ball possession.