By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today
(Olivarez College gym)
12 noon – Diliman College vs Olivarez
2 p.m. – Lyceum-Batangas vs TIP
Diliman College and Olivarez College try to keep the pacesetters within their reach as they square off today in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 2 action at the Sea Lions’ own floor in Sucat, Parañaque City.
Tip off is at 12 noon, with the Blue Dragons aiming to pick up from where they left off the last time out and the Sea Lions raring to make it three straight in a row after a sluggish start.
Diliman College returned to its winning ways behind an 81-66 conquest of struggling Bulacan State University over the weekend and coach Rensy Bajar challenged the Blue Dragons to sustain their momentum.
“The good thing about my players is they are willing to continue learning. We suffered a reality check against CdSL (nearly two weeks ago), but the guys made the right adjustments against BulSU. That’s a great sign for a young team like us,” he said.
Meanwhile, newcomer Lyceum-Batangas intends to rack up its second straight victory when the Pirates take on the skidding Engineers of Technological Institute of the Philippines at 2 o’clock.
Lyceum-Batangas broke the ice on its fourth try courtesy of a thrilling 88-84 win over University of Batangas last Monday and coach Danilo Acero is confident his charges can sustain their winning form.
But the Pirates are expected to have their hands full on the well-rested Engineers, who are eager to stop a two-game bleeding and are coming off a 10-day break.
Diliman College is expected to lean heavily anew on prized Senagalese big man Adama Diakhite who proved too much against BulSU’s all-Filipino crew, accounting for 38 points, 18 rebound and eight blocks in dominant fashion.
Aside from a familiar homecourt advantage, Olivarez College hopes to get the needed boost from the likes of top locals Richmond Sunga and Pruvil Bermudes.