By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Olivarez College guns for its first PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League title against defending champion Diliman College today at the Olivarez gym in Parañaque City.
Game is at 12 noon with the Sea Lions seeking to ride on the momentum of a 64-62 Game 1 victory last Thursday for a sweep of their best-of-three finals affair.
A title win would also erase the stigma of their two failed championship campaigns, including last year where they yielded to the Diliman Blue Dragons, 2-1.
The Sea Lions also made it to the finals in the inaugural edition four years back but lost to the Centro Escolar University Scorpions.
Olivarez coach Myk Saguiguit said his players have matured, especially Jayboy Solis, who anchored the squad throughout this season that earned him the Most Valuable Player plum.
In Game 1, Solis steered the crew with 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Saguiguit, however, remains wary of Diliman and its championship experience.
“Diliman is a tough team so we can’t afford to relax. For us to win again, we have to be consistent from start to finish,” he said, also hoping that the home court advantage will play a big role.
Point guard John Lester Maurillo is also expected to provide offensive reinforcements for Olivarez after finishing with 17 points highlighted by four triples, while Yani Elie takes over the paint after hauling 16 rebounds.
The top-seeded Blue Dragons, meanwhile, are not going down without a fight, expecting to regroup offensively after only two players scored in double figures.
They played catch up throughout Game 1 and ran out of time to turn things around.
The stalwarts of coach Rensy Bajar are also expected to toughen up their defense led by Kevin Ganjeto, Aldrin Ligon, and Johnnel Bauzon to limit Olivarez’s scoring production.
The trio combined for 28 rebounds in Game 1.
Game 3, if necessary, will be on Thursday at the same venue.
