West Negros College breezed to a 92-50 victory over University of Luzon last night to clinch its first semifinal appearance in the 60th National Students Inter-Collegiate Basketball Championships at the Ibalon Centrum Recreation Gym in Legazpi City, Bicol.

The Mustangs will take on National University at 4:30 p.m. today for a seat in the finals, while defending champion Perpetual Help University and Angeles University Foundation will battle in the other semifinal clash.

West Negros got off to a blazing start by establishing a comfortable 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Center Sonny Abaring delivered his best game in the tournament so far as he poured in 19 points, while swingman Vengie Vergara once again waxed hot from the perimeter after finishing with 17 points on five three-point connections. Bernard Suante and Geban Espiritu also came up big off the bench for the Wesnecans as they contributed 15 and 10 points, respectively. Suante hit four three-point shots, while the back up center-forward Espiritu has been playing well since replacing the injured Donald Quilantang in the rotation.

The Elvis Atinado-mentored Mustangs, who will be playing in the semis of the national cagefest for the first time, also got solid numbers from Ely Olarte, Sivirino Baclao and Stanley Tizon who combined for 19 points.

Atinado said he hopes that Espiritu and Suante, who has been seeing action in the place of the injured Joel Deocadis, will continue their stellar performances.

PHU is stronger than NU, but the Altas have more big men so we could really maximize Espiritu and Suante in the encounter today, he said.

The Altas, who eliminated the Mustangs in the quarterfinals in Dumaguete City last year, suffered a 58-62 at the hands of WNC during the elimination round.

West Negros brought home its first national title last year after topping the National University Games basketball tournament. *CIT

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