NAKAHIRIT pa ng overtime ang defending champion Centro Escolar University upang mapigilan ang Diliman College, 90-86, nitong Lunes at makasampa sa championship ng Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCLA) sa Sea Lions gym sa Parañaque City.

Sinandigan nina Orlan Wamar, Judel Fuentes at Rich Guinitaran ang CEU Scorpions, seeded No. 1 sa Final Four, para makabalikwas sa 13 puntos na paghahabol at patatagin ang hataw sa extra period.

“They just refused to give up and gave it their all even if when already down for the count,” pahayag ni CEU coach Yong Garcia.

Umusad ang Scorpions sa best-of-three finals kontra sa magwawagi sa duwelo ng No.2 Colegio de San Lorenzo at No. 3 Olivarez College. Nakahirit ang Olivarez sa CdSL na may ‘twice-to-beat’ na bentahe, 74-69.

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Nanguna si Wamar sa natipang 21 puntos sa CEU, habang kumana sina Fuentes at Guinitaran ng 16 at 13 puntos, ayon sa pagkakasunod.

Hataw sina Paulo Castro at big man Vin Begaso para mapanatiling buhay ang kampanya ng Olivarez.

Nakatakda ang knockout match sa Huwebes.

“This victory will only increase the pressure not only for CdSL but also for us,” sambit ni Olivarez College coach Mike Saguiguit.

Iskor:

(Unang laro)

Olivarez (74) — Castro 18, Begaso 15, Saguiguit 13, Solis 7, Sunga 7, Navarro 6, Rabe 6, Uduba 2, Almajeda 0, Bermudes 0, Geronimo 0, Lalata 0.

CdSL (69) — Callano 21, Chabi Yo 13, Formento 8, Sablan 8, Alvarado 6, Rojas 6, Laman 3, Ancheta 2, Vargas 2, Baldevia 0, Borja 0.

Quarterscores: 14-18; 34-31; 55-50; 74-69.

(Ikalawang laro)

CEU (90) — Wamar 21, Fuentes 16, Arim 14, Guinitaran 13, Intic 6, Umeanozie 5, Baconcon 5, Manlangit 5, Cruz 3, Galinato 2, Caballero 0.

Diliman (86) — Gerero 20, Diakhite 20, Mondala 15, Ligon 11, Brutas 8, Salazar 5, Darang 3, Corpuz 2, Bauzon 0, Tay 0, Sombero 0.