Olivarez College completed a stunning Final Four reversal as it downed Centro Escolar University, 64-61, to book a return trip to the finals of the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 3 yesterday.
Joshua Almajeda grabbed a huge rebound from a Chris Lalata missed second free throw and Harold Sala, filling in for a cramping Paolo Castro, hit two charities off a Pierce Chan foul for a three-point Sea Lions advantage.
The Scorpions tried to send the game into overtime in the final 6.1 seconds but Maodo Diouf bungled his desperation triple at the buzzer, igniting a celebration from the home fans.
Olivarez will face top-ranked Diliman College in the Finals. The Sea Lions lost twice to the Blue Dragons in the elimination round.
Game 1 of the best-of-three series is set at 12 noon on Monday at the Olivarez College in Parañaque City.
Coach Myke Saguiguit praised his Sea Lions for the tremendous poise despite having the twice-to-beat disadvantage in the Final Four.
“The players gave their all. Sa kanila ibinibigay ko ang panalong ito. They really worked hard for this,” said Saguiguit. “The team wanted it so much talaga.”
Hobbling in the payoff period, Castro still paced Olivarez with 18 points, four rebounds and two assists.
“Gusto niya talagang manalo,” said Saguiguit of his prized guard.
Dwight Saguiguit added 11 points while Sala was the other Sea Lion in twin digits with 10 markers.
Olivarez hopes to make it all the way this time after finishing second to CEU in the inaugurals two years ago.
The scores:
Olivarez 64 – Castro 18, Saguiguit 11, Sala 10, Elie 8, Lalata 8, Almajeda 3, Siegue 3, Geronimo 2, Begaso 1, Udoba 0, De Leon 0.
CEU 61 – Fuentes 13, Chan 11, Guinitaran 9, Caballero Ke. 7, Uri 7, Diouf 5, Diaz 4, Intic 3, Rojas 2, Formento 0.
Quarters: 12-10, 22-26, 46-43, 64-61.
