It took five years for Olivarez College to repeat as champions but the wait was all worth it.
In front of their roaring home crowd, the Sea Lions delivered when it mattered most, turning back the De Ocampo Memorial College Cobras, 72-64, and ruling the Sta. Lucia Land-NCRAA 25th season championship yesterday.
“I told the players, particularly the graduating students, that this will be the last time you’re going to wear green,” said Olivarez coach Mike Saguigit. “You need to give it your best.”
And they did.
Jayboy Solis, Pruvil Bermudes, Arnel Sunga snd Alvin Rabe ended their playing seasons as champions for the Sea Lions, who pocketed their third championship in the NCRAA.
The Sea Lions took Game 1 via a thrilling 89-86 overtime win after squandering a 16-point lead in the fourth period.
De Ocampo Memorial College struck back in Game 2 with a more dominant showing, 84-71, to tie the series and force a rubber match.
The Cobras, on the other hand, self-destructed in Game 3 and couldn’t complete a run due to their poor free throw shooting. They missed 16 straight free throws from the 7:16 mark of the third period until the 6:58 mark of the final quarter, going 15 of 45 overall.