OLIVAREZ College got a big boost before its semis showdown with Technological Institute of the Philippines by downing erstwhile unbeaten Centro Escolar University, 65-63, in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League yesterday at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque City.
More than getting a much-need motivation for its Thursday clash with TIP, Olivarez shattered CEU’s myth of invincibility as the Scorpions suffered their first defeat in 12 games.
Another good news for Olivarez supporters was that also-ran Diliman College completed a day of reversals with a 73-61 dismantling of the Engineers in the second game.
Richmond Sunga and Jayboy Solis combined for 23 points as the Sea Lions avenged their 76-61 loss to the Scorpions in the first round.
Olivarez finished the elims tied with TIP at 8-4 for second to third places, but the Engineers took the twice-to-beat advantage, having beaten the Sea Lions twice in the two-round elims.
Despite the loss, CEU still owns the No. 1 seed and the twice-to-beat edge going to their Final Four duel with fourth seed Colegio de San Lorenzo.
The Griffins wound up with a 5-7 card.
Although nothing was at stake, the Blue Dragons still played with their hearts out to exit the tournament on a high note.
Diliman finished the season at 4-8 alongside Bulacan State University in fifth place.
Joseph Brutas had 22 points, five rebounds and five steals while Peter Cecilio added 15 points for the Blue Dragons.
The scores:
First Game
Olivarez 65— Sunga 12, Solis 11, Sing 8, Saguitguit 8, Bermudez 7, Navarro 5, Belaso 4, Geronimo 4, Uduba 4, Rabe 2, Almejada 0, Diaz 0, Francis 0, Sala 0, Rabusa 0.
CEU 63— Ebondo 10, Fuentes 9, Wamar 9, Veron 8, Saber 7, Aquino 6, Arim 6, Manlangit 5, Guinitaran 2, Casino 1, Opiso 0, De Leon 0, Quiminales 0, Umeanozie 0.
Quarters: 12-12, 26-26, 43-44, 65-63.
Second Game
Diliman 73—Brutas 22, Cecilio 15, Jornacion 11, Bauzon 8, Torrado 6, Mondala 4, Co 3, Angeles 3, Tay 1.
TIP 61 – Santos 9, Rosopa 8, Pinas 7, Lara 7, Enriquez 7, Magtinas 7, Okoronkwo 7, Napoles 7, Akpuru 2.
Quarters: 17-21, 36-37, 62-48, 73-61.
Games Thursday
(Olivarez Sports Center)
12 noon – TIP vs Olivarez
2 p.m. – CEU vs CDSL