PICKING up from where it left off in the closing stage of Game 1, De Ocampo Memorial College continued its big run on its way to scoring an easy 84-71 triumph that denied Olivarez College of winning the title in Game 2 of the Sta. Lucia Land-NCRAA 25th season at the Olivarez College Gym.
The Cobras, who fought back from 18 points down before losing in overtime in the first meeting, made sure they won’t fall behind big this time.
In fact, they dictated the tempo of the game for most part of the match all the way to pulling off a one-sided victory to level the series and set up a winner-take-all showdown on Friday.
“Pangatlong sunod na taon na kaming naglalaro sa finals. ‘Yung nakaraang dalawa, parati kaming second. Sana medyo mabago namin this year,” said DOMC coach Ronnie Dojillo.
Led by newly chosen Most Valuable Player Dahrell Caranguian and fellow Mythical Five member Jhonard Clarito, the Cobras were able to break free from a tight contest in the latter part of the second period as the two joined forces in a big scoring run.
Caranguian and Clarito were joined in the Mythical Five by Vinny Begaso of Olivarez, Kurt Sunga of Philippine Merchant Marine School and Owen Graham of AMA University.
Surprisingly, Dojillo didn’t start Caranguian and Clarito, a ploy which worked wonders, to keep them fresh in the second quarter where the duo conspired with surprise starter Redel Fabro as the Cobras posted a 45-34 advantage at the half, a lead which they never relinquished until the final buzzer.
The rubber match is set on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Olivarez College Gym as the two protagonists are expected to bring in their supporters.
Caranguian finished with 23 points to lead all scorers.
Another surprised starter, Tyrone dela Cruz came away with 15 points, 10 of them happened in the fourth period.
Dela Cruz went onslaught in the fourth period as the Cobras dished out their venom in posting an 81-61 advantage, silencing the hometown Olivarez crowd.
The scores:
DE OCAMPO (84)—Caranguian 23, de la Cruz 15, Clarito 12, Sabasaje 8, Macasling 8, Pascual 6, M Atabay 2, Gallardo 1, Manalang 0, Gutierrez 0, Montojo 0, Lescano 0.
OLIVAREZ (71)—Solis 15, Rabe 13, Begaso 13, Bermudes 11, Sunga 8, Geronimo 5, Navarro 3, Saguiguit 2, Sala 1, Almajeda 0, Completo 0.
Quarterscores: 23-23, 45-34, 64-50, 84-71.