By: Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today
(Olivarez College gym)
12 noon — CdSL vs CEU
2 p.m. —BulSU vs Olivarez
Defending champion Centro Escolar University and formidable Colegio de San Lorenzo dispute the top spot today as the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 2 elimination round draws to a close at the Olivarez College gym in Sucat, Parañaque City.
Tip off is at 12 noon, with the Scorpions and the Griffins, tied atop the eight-team field with similar 12-1 marks, expected to go all out in what promises to be a sneak preview of the best-of-three finals series.
CEU, fresh from a week-long break, will come in riding high on a five-game winning streak and eager enough to duplicate an 82-76 win last Sept. 28. On the other hand, CdSL is also running full steam ahead after winning its last seven matches.
“Nobody will give an inch,” said Scorpions coach Yong Garcia. “We’ve beaten them fair and square the last time out so we’re expecting that they are determined to even things up against us and give themselves more confidence going to the playoffs.”
Griffins coach Boni Garcia admits that he’s expecting nothing less than a game-long grind. “It’s going to be a showcase of our fluid offense against their solid defense. Both teams are raring to go into the Final Four on a high,” he said.
Clashing in the main match at 2 p.m. are semis-bound Olivarez College and also-ran Bulacan State University.
The Sea Lions, losers of their last two matches, intent to get themselves back on track as they try to gain a share of the third spot – and a better semis position – against a Gold Gears side tipped to play the spoilers’ role to the hilt.
“We cannot take them lightly. They appear more dangerous right now since they are fighting for pride,” said Olivarez College coach Mike Saguiguit of BulSU’s dangerous crew which they defeated 91-82 last Sept. 30.
Without CEU counterpart Rod Ebondo, CdSL’s athletic big man Soulemane Chabi Yo is tipped to lord it over in the lane while the likes of Jan Formento, Gelo Sablan and Charles Callano will take care of the perimeter offense.
Out to lead the Scorpions’ bid are veteran playmaker Orlan Wamar, Judel Fuentes, Rich Guinitaran, Louis Baconcon and back-up Nigerian center Ebuka Umeanozie.