Games Nov. 5
(Olivarez College gym)
noon – Olivarez vs PCU-D
2 p.m. – CEU vs TIP
Diliman College claimed the first semis berth with a 101-61 drubbing of Technological Institute of the Philippines in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 3 at the Olivarez College in Parañaque City.
The Blue Dragons dominated the Engineers from the start and won pulling away this time around.
Mentored by Rensy Bajar, Diliman went through the proverbial eye of the needle before beating TIP, 92-90, in the first round.
Diliman’s win was its seventh straight and 8th overall in 9 games, enough to claim the first semis berth in the seven-team tournament backed by CaféFrance, Yakult, Gerry’s Grill, Hapee Toothpaste, MaxSell Power Tool and Tough Mama Home and Kitchen Appliances, Tanduay Athletics and Toyota Motor Philippines.
Johnel Rey Bauzon led Diliman with 17 points on 10-of-16 shooting spiked by four triples, including one that touched off the team fiery start that saw the Blue Dragons took a 27-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Diliman continued to pound TIP to score another impressive win and assume the solo lead for the first time.
Meantime, Olivarez College snapped a two-game losing run with a 114-47 thumping of St. Joseph College of Bulacan in the first game.
The win improved Olivarez’s win-loss mark to 6-2 while handing St. Joseph its 9th straight defeat in as many games.
In all, Diliman finished with 16 triples as they boosted their bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis.
“Yun ang hinahabol namin na makapag-twice-to-beat. We have three more games left,” said Bajar.
