Olivarez College survived Diliman College’s late rally and carved out a 64-62 victory on Thursday to draw the first blood in their PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League finals at the Olivarez gym in Parañaque City.
The Olivarez Sea Lions took a 12-point lead late in the third but needed big defensive stops to move within a win from dethroning the Blue Dragons.
Diliman had the chance to grab the victory after Yani Elie split his charities to give Olivarez the two-point edge in the last 1:04, but the Blue Dragons couldn’t convert a shot.
Kevin Gandjeto attempted a long two and Robbi Darang tried a triple, but bounced off the rim.
Jayboy Solis, who was earlier awarded the season Most Valuable Player, paced Olivarez with 21 points, five rebounds and two steals, while John Lester Maurillo and Rey Barcuma added 17 and 10 points.
Elie hauled 16 rebounds on top of seven points.
The Sea Lions can clinch their first title in three finals appearances with another win on Monday.
Meantime, Centro Escolar University blasted University of Batangas, 75-55, and settled for third.
Maodo Diouf spearheaded the Scorpions with a double-double performance of 18 points and 14 rebounds apart from posting four assists and four blocks.
The Scorpions encountered stiff resistance from the Brahmans in the first two quarters before taking a 60-43 advantage after an 8-0 run.
Dave Bernade also starred for CEU with 21 points on a 10-of-15 shooting, while adding five rebounds and six assists. Angel Paul Escalona had 13 points and four assists while Christian Malicana had 11 points.
Three players scored in double figures for the UB Brahmans but lost steam in the last quarter.
JJ Caspe and Raoul Yemeli fired 14 points each apart from merging 23 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, while Melvin Ricaña had 13 points for the Brahmans.
Solis got the MVP award after posting 314 statistical points.
Solis averaged 22.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1 steal and 3.5 blocks in the eliminations in steering Sea Lions to their third finals appearance.
University of Batangas’ Raoul Yemeli also took the podium with the Best Foreign Player plum, averaging 14.4 points, 13 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Joining Solis in the Mythical Team are Diliman College’s Johnnel Bauzon, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas’ Sandee Diez, Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas’ Aliane Lapasaran and UB’s JJ Caspe.
