By REYNALD MAGALLON
The long, arduous wait has finally ended for Olivarez College.
Allen Vergara showed nerves of steel and drained the dagger triple as the Sea Lions survived the Philippine Christian University – Dasmarinas, 79-74, to finally claim its first-ever title in the University and Colleges Athletic League Season 7, Thursday, April 10 at the Paco Arena in Manila.
With the title that has long eluded his team in their first four finals appearance, on the line, Vergara just displayed pure guts and knocked down a cold-blooded step-back triple to give Olivarez a 78-74 lead with 16.1 seconds left.
Vergara also completed the crucial defensive stop by soaring for the rebound in the Dolphins final possession before Patrick Panelo sealed the game with a free throw to finally bring the title to Paranaque after nine seasons in the league.
“Seven seasons apat na taon kong niligawan busted ako, so ngayon sa wakas kinasal din kami nito,” said Olivarez head coach Myk Saguiguit who kissed the trophy in relief after finally cutting the strings of futility that saw OC finish a runner-up in four of the first six seasons.
Panelo, who was also the hero of Game 2 that dragged the Finals series to a sudden death, was adjudged as the Finals MVP after also pouring a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds to go with four steals for Olivarez
Vergara finished with 14 points laced with five rebounds and six assists while Hakim Njiasse and Rodel Renon both also chipped in a double-double with the former tallying 21 points and 19 rebounds while the latter had 10 and 10.
“Yung team ko lahat sila gumawa nyan, trumabaho nyan at ang pinakaimportante sa lahat ang nag orchestrate yung coach namin sa itaas,” said Saguiguit.
“On that game 2, miracle shot sabi sa amin di pa kami tapos. May Thursday pa kayo so sabi ko sa kanila naniniwala ba kayo sa destiny? Ang kaso sa destiny tinatrabaho yan, so ngayon ginawa nila lahat,” he added.
Joshua Dino and John Carl Catayong had 14 points for the Dolphins, who despite the heartbreaker, still put up their best season yet since joining the league in 2018.
