By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Thursday
(Olivarez College gym)
12 noon – Lyceum-Batangas vs TIP
2 p.m. – CdSL vs BulSU
With forward Rich Guinitaran coming up big on the offensive end, defending champion Centro Escolar University repeated over also-ran Bulacan State University, 83-66, yesterday to seize the solo lead in Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 2 at the Olivarez College gym in Sucat, Parañaque City.
Guinitaran sizzled with a game-high 21 points, spiked by five triples, as the Scorpions jumped the gun on the slow-starting Gold Gears and never looked back, leading to their sixth straight win and 12th overall against a lone loss.
“We know what Rich is capable of. His teammates did a better job finding him and making sure he’s wide open for those threes,” said CEU coach Yong Garcia, who also got six rebounds and four assists from Guinitaran.
African import David Adebola had a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds while three other teammates, including reigning league MVP Dominck Fajardo, tallied at least 11 points each but BulSU failed to dig itself out of an early hole, causing it to drop to a 3-9 slate.
Earlier, University of Batangas used a strong second half performance to get back at Lyceum-Batangas 85-77 and close out its campaign on a high note.
Cameroonian Raoul Yemeli powered his way to game-highs of 28 points and 14 rebounds while Lowell Castro nearly had a double-double of 15 points and nine rebounds to help the Brahmans avenge an 88-84 loss to the Pirates last Sept. 25.
More importantly, UB stopped a seven-game bleeding and bowed out with a 2-12 card, still at the tail-end of the eight-team field. Lyceum-Batangas, meanwhile, suffered its 10th loss against three victories.
First Game
UB 85 — Yemeli 28, Castro 15, Gotam 11, Caspe 9, Vilegas 8, Gabriel 6, Tabol 6, Alade 2, Cervantes 0, Heidelburg 0.
Lyceum-Batangas 77 — Fernandez 19, Axaln 17, Buen 14, Lapasaran 12, Saliente 9, Villaluna 6, Eranes 0.
Quarters: 23-16, 41-45, 66-58, 85-77.
Second Game
CEU 83 — Guinitaran 21, Cruz, 13, Wamar 9, Galinato 9, Manlangit 8, Arim 6, Fuentes 5, Umeanozie 5, Intic 5, Baconcon 2, Caballero 0, Demigaya 0.
BulSU 66 — Necio 15, Fajardo 12, Dela Cruz 11, Adebola 10, Crisostomo 8, Ledesma 5, M. Mendoza 3, Enrile 2, Solayao 0, J. Mendoza 0, Cristobal 0.
Quarters: 28-15, 46-29, 59, 37, 83-66.
