By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Thursday
(Olivarez College gym)
12 noon. — CEU vs Lyceum-Batangas
2 p.m. — TIP vs Bulacan State University
On the same day Diliman College’s touted import Adama Diakhite hardly made his presence felt, another African reinforcement stole the spotlight.
Benin native Soulemane Chabi Yo showed what he’s truly capable of doing yesterday as Colegio de San Lorenzo turned back host Olivarez College 86-72 for its second straight victory in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 2 at the Sea Lions’ home floor in Sucat, Parañaque City.
The 6-foot-6 Chabi Yo put up a monster performance of 27 points and 20 rebounds while providing the spark in the Griffins’ decisive breakaway in the second canto that enabled them to erase an early eight-point deficit and foil the slumping Sea Lions in style.
“It took us a while to get our acts together but once Soulemane got his groove, we just played on another level,” said CDSL coach Boni Garcia, clearly pleased with Chabi Yo’s impressive showing that helped them earn a fitting follow-up to an equally solid 112-77 win over Lyceum-Batangas over the weekend.
The notable performance of Chabi Yo overshadowed the Blue Dragons’ 75-60 victory against University of Batangas, with the 6-foot-9 Diakhite coming up with just nine points and as many rebounds while seeing limited action in the second half.
“Adama was well scouted so he clearly struggled against them,” admitted Blue Dragons Rensy Bajar, who turned to top locals Jerico Mondala, Joseph Brutas and Rey Bauzon in holding off the Brahman’ fightback.
First Game
CDSL 86 – Chabi Yo 27, Sablan 17, Gabriel 15, Formento 8, Laman 7, Callano 6, Baldevia 3, Calizo 2, Alvarado 1, Borja 0, Rojas 0, Vargas 0.
OLIVAREZ 72 – Castro 13, Bermudes 12, Lalata 10, Rabe 6, Saguiguit 6, Sunga 6, Maganga 5, Prado 5, Elie 3, Almajeda 2, Begaso 2, Solis 2, Geronimo 0, Navarro 0, Uduba 0.
Quarters: 19-17, 44-27, 64-45, 86-72.
Second Game
DILIMAN 75 — Brutas 19, Mondala 12, Gerero 10, Diakhite 9, Bauzon 7, Chavenia 6, Darang 4, Ligon 4, Corpuz 2, Mbiya 2, Handag 0.
UB 60 — Caspe 22, Espiritu 11, Gotam 10, Yemeli 9, Alade 4, Clarion 2, Heidelburg 2, Castro 0, Tabol 0, Gabriel 0, Villegas 0.
Quarters: 20-17, 40-31, 53-48, 75-60.
