Defending champion Diliman College and Olivarez College begin their best-of-three championship series today in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.
Game is at 2:30 p.m. with the Blue Dragons seeking a repeat performance after besting the Sea Lions in last year’s finals series, 2-1.
Diliman has also beaten Olivarez six times in their last seven meetings, including a 72-66 triumph in their eliminations duel last Sept. 16.
Enjoying a twice-to-beat semis advantage with their No. 1 seeding, the Blue Dragons booked the first finals berth with a 64-63 squeaker of fourth-ranked Centro Escolar University Scorpions last Oct. 28.
Diliman hopes the eight-day respite will rejuvenate them against Olivarez, which guns for its first crown after three straight finals appearances.
Compared to the Blue Dragons, the Sea Lions survived University of Batangas Brahmans’ Final Four challenge where they prevailed 83-79 last Monday after losing 89-80 in their first semis meeting.
Meanwhile, CEU and UB clash for the bronze medal at 12 noon followed by the presentation of individual awards at 2 p.m.
Apart from JR Bauzon, Diliman coach Rensy Bajar can also count on Robbi Darang, Ismael Pacheco and a pair of foreign players in Senegalese 6-foot-11 Abdoulaye and Kevine Steeve Gandjeto of Benin.
The Sea Lions of coach Myk Saguiguit will have to play smart, tough and consistent in both ends to have a better chance of beating the Blue Dragons.
Out to provide the firepower for the Sea Lions are Rey Joey Barcuma, Jayboy Solis Lance de Leon, Ace Lavariaz, Kim Siege and Cameroonian 6-foot-7 Elie Yani.
