Games Tuesday
(Buddhacare gym, Q.C.)
9 a.m. – CEU vs Benilde
10:45 a.m. – NU vs Olivarez
12:30 p.m. – Diliman vs JRU
Centro Escolar University and National University closed out their first round campaign with big wins to remain in semis hunt in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UBCL) Summer Invitational held Thursday at the Buddhacare gym in Quezon City.
The Scorpions, the reigning UCBL champions, outlasted the Diliman College Blue Dragons, 63-55, for their third win in five games.
CEU’s win over Diliman was a follow up to its 85-71 win over Jose Rizal University last Tuesday in the tournament sponsored by Ever Bilena-Blackwater, Smart, Advanced Solution, Inc. and Manila Bulletin.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, produced another well-balanced attack to hack out an 88-65 win over the winless Heavy Bombers.
In their win over the Blue Dragons, it was the duo of Judel Fuentes and Moh Ascaño who struck hardest, coming through with highlight plays in the payoff period to pull away for good.
Fuentes led all scorers with 15 points while Ascaño and Patrick Aquino chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Idle Olivarez College is the only unbeaten squad in the six-team tournament serving as a preseason event for some UAAP, NCAA and UCBL teams.
Four NU players scored in double figures with Chammy Diputado firing 19 points, including two triples, JV Gallego adding 13 while Mike Pate and Ralph Napa tallying 10 points each.