By Jerome Lagunzad
Game Thursday
(Olivarez College gym)
12 noon – Olivarez vs CdSL
(Final Four, do-or-die match)
Showing the heart of a champion, reigning titlist Centro Escolar University pulled off a gutsy 90-86 overtime victory over Diliman College yesterday and booked a return trip to the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 2 finals at the Olivarez College gym in Sucat, Parañaque City.
Heady playmaker Orlan Wamar took matters into his own hands late in regulation where they charged back from a 13-point deficit before Judel Fuentes and Rich Guinitaran preserved his brilliance in the extra five-minute extension, helping the top seeded Scorpions overcome the upset-conscious No. 4 Blue Dragons.
“They just refused to give up and gave it their all even if where already down for the count,” said CEU coach Yong Garcia, tipping his hat to the Scorpions who showed tremendous grit when they fell behind 56-69 with still three minutes to play in regulation.
With the hard-earned victory, witnessed by a sizeable crowd that included former Senator and Diliman College owner Nikki Coseteng, CEU advanced to the best-of-three finals either against No.2 Colegio de San Lorenzo or No. 3 Olivarez College.
Senegalese big man Adama Diakhite dominated down low with 20 points, 19 rebounds and seven blocks while Rickson Gerero had a game-high 22 points but the Blue Dragons still crumbled in the most critical juncture, leading to a painful exit.
Earlier, guard Paulo Castro and big man Vin Begaso shone on both ends in the second half as Olivarez College shocked Colegio de San Lorenzo, 74-69, to stave off elimination.
The 5-foot-10 Castro fired all of his 18 points after the break while the 6-foot-2 Begaso did a commendable defensive job against Griffins touted import Soulemane Chabi Yo that enabled the Sea Lions to complete the stunner.
More importantly, Olivarez College disarmed Colegio de San Lorenzo’s twice-to-beat advantage and forced a knockout match on Thursday with a coveted spot in the best-of-three finals at stake.
First Game
Olivarez 74 — Castro 18, Begaso 15, Saguiguit 13, Solis 7, Sunga 7, Navarro 6, Rabe 6, Uduba 2, Almajeda 0, Bermudes 0, Geronimo 0, Lalata 0.
CdSL 69 — Callano 21, Chabi Yo 13, Formento 8, Sablan 8, Alvarado 6, Rojas 6, Laman 3, Ancheta 2, Vargas 2, Baldevia 0, Borja 0.
Quarters: 14-18, 34-31, 55-50, 74-69.
Second Game
CEU 90 — Wamar 21, Fuentes 16, Arim 14, Guinitaran 13, Intic 6, Umeanozie 5, Baconcon 5, Manlangit 5, Cruz 3, Galinato 2, Caballero 0.
Diliman 86 — Gerero 20, Diakhite 20, Mondala 15, Ligon 11, Brutas 8, Salazar 5, Darang 3, Corpuz 2, Bauzon 0, Tay 0, Sombero 0.
Quarters: 16-12, 33-30, 49-47, 77-77, 90-86 (OT).
