Centro Escolar University went full throttle in the third quarter and dispatched Diliman College with ease, 74-61, to extend its reign in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Basketball Championship for another year Monday, March 18, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Before another sizable crowd, the Scorpions, starring Daniel Marcelo and Franz Ray Diaz, outscored the Blue Dragons from Diliman, 27-6, on the way to completing another title sweep of the best-of-three title series.
For completing another amazing feat – they regained the crown via a 14-game sweep last season – the Scorpions became the first team in the 8-year history of the league to win the title three times, bettering their victims who lorded over for two straight year (2019-2020) before the Covid pandemic halted the league.
Meantime, Olivarez College demolished Lyceum of the Philippines University, 84-69, in the battle for third place in the event also presented by Angel’s Pizza.
While it was Marcelo who topscored for CEU with 23 points, it was Dave Bernabe and Dylan Darbin who sparked the team’s onslaught with the former’s driving layup finally put the Scorpions after a long chase.
That led to an avalanche of baskets for the Scorpions while the Blue Dragons can’t seem to do anything right in the face of CEU’s pesky defense.
So at the end of the third, CEU, which also topped the inaugural edition in 2016, enjoyed a commanding 55-36 lead, which Diliman found too hard to overcome despite waging a gallant attempt to stage a comeback.
Marcelo was named Finals MVP after scoring 24 points in the team’s 80-73 win in Game 1 last Saturday.
In the battle of court generals, Diaz tallied 16 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds while Season 6 MVP and Diliman ace Robbi Marion Darang had 17 points, 8 boards and 6 assists.
Aside from Darang, other members of Mythical 5 are Marcelo, Olivarez College’s Dan Arhes and Josh Gallano, and University of Batangas’ John Villarez.
