Games Thursday
(Olivarez College gym)
12 noon – CEU vs Olivarez
2 p.m. – LPU-B vs Diliman
Centro Escolar University extended its winning streak to nine games with a 95-76 win over a stubborn Philippine Christian University and regained a piece of the lead in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 3 at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.
Unlike the first time they clashed, the CEU Scorpions encountered some scary moments this time before turning back the PCU Dolphins – thanks to the hot-shooting trio of John Rojas, Rich Guinitaran and Orlan Wamar.
Protecting a slim 76-70 lead early in the fourth, Wamar touched off a quick 8-2 run that once again ballooned their lead and enough to take the fight out of the Dolphins.
Aside from tying the Diliman College Blue Dragons for the lead, the Scorpions boosted their bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis.
More than that, they gained an extra motivation in time for their crucial duel with first round tormentor the Olivarez College Sea Lions on Thursday.
After Olivarez College, CEU faces Diliman College on Nov. 22.
The Scorpions lost to the Sea Lions, 86-83, in the opener last September but quickly pulled their act together to string up 9 wins and put themselves in a position to clinch the first bonus 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.
The Sea Lions have already qualified in the semis with an 8-2 mark.
Rojas led the Scorpions with 21 points on an impressive 8-of-10 shooting from the field with Guinataran and Wamar adding 19 and 15 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Technological Institute of the Philippines was playing against winless St. Joseph College of Bulacan at presstime. With a 5-4 record, the TIP Engineers were looking to finalize the Final Four cast.
