Olivarez College prevails over University of Batangas, right, to book finals berth in the UCBL.
Olivarez College silenced University of Batangas in the last 68 seconds and came away with an 83-79 victory yesterday to clinch the second championship berth in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez gym in Parañaque City.
Olivarez will face Diliman College in Game 1 on Thursday in a rematch of last season’s finals.
Trailing 79-77, the second-seeded Olivarez Sea Lions drained six straight points in the decisive closing minute.
An Ace Lavariaz jumper tied the game at 79-all and Kim Siegue hit the go-ahead basket with 41 seconds left.
A ball-handling turnover by the Brahmans doomed their bid as Yani Elie sank two free throws.
The Sea Lions enjoyed a twice-to-beat advantage but yielded to the fourth-ranked Brahmans 89-80 last Monday. (Kristel Satumbaga)
Rey Barcuma led Olivarez with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Jayboy Solis chipped in 16 points, seven boards, five assists and five steals.
Lance de Leon and Siegue also contributed with 11 points each, while Elie added eight points and 12 boards.