Games Thursday
12 noon – PCU-D vs TIP
2 p.m. – SJC-B vs CEU
Technological Institute of the Philippines used one big scoring run in the opening quarter and posted an expected 87-63 romp over winless St. Joseph College-Bulacan to seize solo fourth in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 3 at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque yesterday.
Bryan Santos poured in 21 points, Papa Ndiaye powered his way to 18 markers and Alex Ramos and Jopet Soriano added 11 points apiece as the Engineers took control in the first 10 minutes, 23-8, and never relented the rest of the way to complete the 24-point romp and even their card at 3-3.
Eli Leguin exploded with 31 points while Guian Lorzano and Klentoniel Bernal combined for 18 markers but the rest failed to step up and the Bulacan-based side reeled to its sixth straight defeat in the third staging of the tournament backed by CaféFrance, Yakult, Gerry’s Grill, Hapee Toothpaste, MaxSell Power Tool and Tough Mama Home and Kitchen Appliances, Tanduay Athletics and Toyota Motor Philippines.
Diliman, Centro Escolar U and host Olivarez share the lead at 5-1 with Lyceum of the Phl U-Batangas seeking to join TIP at fourth against Phl Christian U-Dasmariñas at presstime.
The Engineers imposed their will in the shaded line, scoring 58 points, doubling their rivals’ output, and dominated the offensive boards, netting 21 second-change points, 13 more than the hapless St. Joseph side.
TIP also drew 43 points from the bench as the Engineers sustained their initial run despite the Bulacan cagers’ gutsy stand in the second where the latter practically matched the former’s output, 15-14.