Olivarez College secured a Top 4 slot with an 82-65 demolition of Philippine Women’s University in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
In beating the PWU Patriots, the Olivarez Sea Lions needed one decisive breakaway in the second quarter to prevail and finish the initial phase of the elims with a 5-3 record.
Mark Joshua Gallano came off the bench to lead Olivarez’s telling run, coming though with back-to-back baskets inside the paint to highlight a 10-4 assault that gave them a 44-34 lead at halftime.
The Sea Lions even heightened their attack, taking a 21-point spread at one time in the fourth to keep the Patriots winless in the 9-school tournament also presented by Angel’s Pizza.
In the other game, University of Batangas enhanced its own Top 4 bid with a 92-73 drubbing of Guang Ming College, a victory that gave the Brahmans an even 4-4 record and the Flying Dragons a 3-5 slate.
In another solid all-around performance, Gallano logged 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists to clinch another Best Player of the Game award for a team out to improve its runner-up finish to Centro Esecolar University last season.
Lance De Leon, Iverson Aquiatan and Dan Arches also registered significant numbers as the Sea Lions earned an extra push going into second round where the top four teams play another round with the top two placers claiming twice-to-beat bonuses in the quarters.
The fifth to 9th placers will also play another round for better positions in the quarters. The last placer will be eliminated.
Already assured of top four slots are Philippine Chistian University-Dasmariñas (7-1) and CEU (6-2) while still in the hunt for a slot are Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas (3-4) and Diliman University (3-4).
