Bulldogs, Lady Tamaraws split top CAL honors

NATIONAL University bagged a second straight men’s crown while Far Eastern University reigned in the women’s side of the Collegiate Athletic League (CAL) last Sunday at Trinity University of Asia.

The Bulldogs jumped to a 19-0 start on the way to a 67-50 drubbing of Olivarez College in the winner-take-all men’s finals while the  Lady Tamaraws dethroned the Lyceum Lady Pirates with a thrilling 50-49 decision.

Renen Selda, who paced the Bulldogs with 13 points, won the Most Valuable Player award and also earned a spot in the Mythical Five along with Olivarez’s Michael Villar and Mark Guillen, Trinity’s Joshua Alcober and Enderun’s Ervin Maravilla.

MVP Camille Sambile and Ana Valenzona teamed up in a late run as the Lady Tamaraws rallied from a 36-41 deficit in the last seven minutes.

Sambile and Arlene Gesalan topscored with 13 apiece for FEU and Valenzona chipped in eight points.

The victory capped a remarkable run that saw the Lady Tamaraws overcoming the twice-to-beat edge by the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses in the semifinals  before pinning a first tournament loss on Lyceum in the finals.

Sambile also led the women’s Mythical Five that included teammate Vangie Soriano, Lyceum’s Mheann Vasquez, Adamson’s Sara Boot and UST’s Marian Mejia.

The tournament was backed by commissioner Akiko Thomson-Guevara of the Philippine Sports Commission and Krooberg Outdoor Gear. Jasmine W. Payo