West Negros College ripped Aquinas University, 101-62, yesterday to book a quarterfinals berth in bracket A of the 60th National Students Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championships at the Ibalon Centrum Recreation Gym in Legazpi City, Bicol.

WNC was actually the first team to earn a quarterfinals seat in its bracket by posting its third victory in as many games after demolishing Calayan Education Foundation, 92-66, Tuesday night and nipping defending champion University of Perpetual Help, 62-58, in its opening game.

Banking on their balanced offensive attack, the Mustangs never trailed against their AU rivals after racing to a 27-12 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Ely Olarte and second stringer Joemar Tan powered the Wesnecans' charge as they exploded for 25 points each, while Randy Baydo contributed 15 markers.

Bernard Suante also came up big off the bench as he poured in 14 points for the Mustangs, while Vengie Vergara scored all of his 9 points from the three-point area.

WNC mentor Elvis Atinado said his squad is ready for a heavily-contested quarterfinal round where they will meet the best squads in bracket B, but his team still needs to finish strong in the eliminations in order to carry the momentum going into the knockout stages.

Starting center Sonny Abaring and Geban Espiritu suffered injuries in the game against Aquinas, but both big men will be ready in their match today, Atinado, who guided WNC to the championship win in the National University Games last year, said.

Abaring had a slight ankle sprain in the second quarter, while Espiritu suffered a cut in his left eyebrow that required stitches after being accidentally elbowed in the third period, he added.

West Negros, which was taking on OLLC as of press deadline, will battle Eastern Visayas State University at 10 a.m. today for its final assignment in the elimination round.

Against CEF, the Mustangs also never trailed as they were spearheaded by point guard Stanley Tizon and Sivirino Baclao who canned 17 and 16 points, respectively.

Abaring shot 12 points, while Olarte and Vergara chipped in 8 and 7 markers, respectively.

West Negros, which has dominated the local basketball scene, has snared its seven consecutive title in the NOPSSCEA collegiate basketball tournament last year. *CIT

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