Olivarez College hopes to sustain the momentum of a stunning semis win over second-ranked Centro Escolar University when it battles No. 1 Diliman College today at the start of their title duel in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 3 at the Olivarez campus in Parañaque City.
Match is set at 12 noon with the Olivarez Sea Lions determined to draw first blood in their best-of-three title series before an expected huge crowd.
Fans can only expect intense matches much similar to what transpired in the elims which were both decided in the dying seconds with the Blue Dragons emerging as winners.
In the first round, the Blue Dragons needed the heroics of Alvin Van Coquia and Robby Darang to hack out a 79-77 win.
Darang was also the hero in the team’s 85-84 victory in the second round after burying a jumper with only 15 ticks left.
This marked Olivarez’s second finals appearance after playing and eventually losing to the CEU Scorpions in the maiden edition of the tournament. Colegio de San Lorenzo won last season’s championship but took a leave of absence this year.
Diliman coach Rensy Bajar sees the series to go the distance knowing full well that the Sea Lions are fully motivated by their stellar showing against the Scorpions.
“It’s not easy to beat CEU two in a row but Olivarez did it. So I expect another wild finish right in Game 1,” said Bajar.
Expected to lead the Sea Lions are Paolo Castro, Chris Lalata and Joshua Almajeda while the Blue Dragons will once again be bannered by Darang, John Mahari and Benin’s Steve Gandjeto.