By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today
(Olivarez College gym)
12 noon. – CdSL vs TIP
2 p.m. – CEU vs BulSU
Pace-setting Colegio de San Lorenzo and reigning titlist Centro Escolar University plunge back to action today, both eager to sustain their winning ways in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 2 at the Olivarez College gym in Sucat, Parañaque City.
The rampaging Griffins gun for their fifth straight win and a continued hold of the leadership when they square off with the Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers (1-2) at 12 noon.
And its solid team defense will be CdSL’s primary weapon anew after the Griffins limited their first four foes to 64.5 points, emerging as the second-best defensive unit behind the Scorpions who are just allowing 54.3 points per match.
“I’m expecting a tough game against TIP. They’re also one of the taller teams. That’s why we cannot afford to relax.
We’ll just stick to what has been doing wonders for us and that’s our team defense,” said CdSL coach Boni Garcia.
Offensively, the Griffins are proving just as lethal underscored by a league-best 88.25 points, with Benin native Soulemane Chabi Yo, top local Jon Gabriel, Jan Formento and John Rojas mainly doing the damage.
“We’re starting to get comfortable excuting our plays offensively. The guys have been patient so far whatever kind of defense they’ve been throwing at us,” added Garcia.
CEU also intends to stretch its winning roll in their 2 o’clock encounter with Bulacan State University (1-1) which is determined to bounce back from an 84-90 setback dealt by TIP last week.
Congolese center Rod Ebondo will still suit up for the Scorpions, according to CEU coach Yong Garcia, before he joins Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas’ title quest in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup set from Sept. 22 to Sept. 30 in Chenzhou, China.