Olivarez College and Diliman College closed in on the semifinals berths after taking down their respective foes in the 5th PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) at the Paco Arena in Manila on Monday, Jan. 9.
The Sea Lions did not miss a beat even after the holiday break, clobbering Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas Pirates , 89-75, while the Blue Dragons a slipped past Philippine Christian University - Dasmarinas Dolphins, 79-74, to usher in the league's resumption in the new year.
Olivarez came out firing and immediately took full control of the contest after a 34-14 salvo in the opening frame. The strong start for the Sea Lions practically set the tone for the wire-to-wire finish as Olivarez built a lead that ballooned to as many as 28 points, 83-55 midway through the final frame.
John Umali led Olivarez with 20 points and five rebounds while Lance De Leon added 19 as the Sea Lions improved to a 7-4 record and in tie with Diliman which also picked up the crucial win in the second game of the seven-team field.
Robbie Darang and Carmel Espinosa provided some clutch hits to help the Blue Dragons stave off a late fightback from the Dolphins who cut the deficit to just four, 75-71, with 28 seconds left after trailing by 11, 70-59 early on. Darang finished with 23 points while Espinos and Kyle Perez chipped in 14 each.
Olivarez, Diliman and even PCU-D now turn their attention to the third game, which is being played as of press time, between the league leading Centro Escolar University and University of Batangas.
A loss of the Brahmans would allow the three teams to clinch the remaining spots in the final four.