Olivarez College opened its title bid with a 70-63 win over Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas on Monday, Jan. 22, at the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Sea Lions started strong but needed to fend off the Pirates’ late surge to prevail in their debut in the 9-team league also sponsored by Angel’s Pizza.

John Umali struck hardest for last year’s runners-up with 17 points and four rebounds while Mark Joshua Gallano put on a solid all-around performance with 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 25 minutes of action.

But the day belonged to University of Batangas which stunned two-time champion Diliman College, 78-68, thanks to a 24-point explosion in the third that saw them pull away for good.

With their wins, Olivarez and UB drew level with Centro Escolar University and Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas who bested their respective rivals in the opener last Saturday.

The CEU Scorpions leaned on the heroics of Dylan Darbin to pull off a pulsating 74-71 win over newcomer Manila Central University, while the PCU Dolphins gave another neophyte Philippine Women’s University a rude welcome via an 88-66 win.

Christian Tabeth led three other UB players in double figures with 15 points and 19 rebounds.

Olivarez’s strong defensive effort negated the 15-point and 19-rebound performance of Lyceum’s Alpha Bah.