Games Saturday

(Paco Arena, Manila)

12 noon – WCC vs CEU

2 p.m. – DIL vs ICC

4 p.m. – PCU-D vs PWU

Olivarez College leaned on a huge third quarter performance and downed host Diliman College, 84-73, in the UCAL-PGFlex Linoleum 7th Season on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Cristian Allen Vergara tallied 9 of his 16 points in the third frame, including a triple that gave them a 63-52 advantage from a slim 45-40 halftime lead which the Sealions smartly protected to prevail.

Hanz Philip Maycong, who also had a hand in that telling Olivarez breakaway, led all scorers with 20 points apart from posting 7 boards and 1 assist as they handed the Blue Dragons their second defeat in four games in the 10-school tournament.

In the second game, Philippine Christian University outlasted Immaculada Concepcion College, 79-76, thanks to the heroics of Jay-R Pronda.

Showed steely resolve, Pronda hit two pressure-packed charities in the last 11 seconds to foil ICC’s fiery comeback from 7-point down, 76-69, as Alfred Joseph Flores strung up 7 points, including a 3-point shot that pulled the Bluehawks to within 77-76 with 19 ticks remaining.

With their wins, Olivarez and PCU-D forged a three-way tie for second with Manila Central University with similar 3-1 cards.

Rodel Renon and Hakim Njiasse also shone offensively, combining for 27 points as the Sealions even hiked their lead to as many as 15 points – thanks to the team’s 12 steals.

What hastened Diliman’s downfall was its 18 turnovers which Olivarez converted to 20 points. In sharp contrast, the Sealions turned the ball only 8 times apart from having more points in the paint, 48-36.

Matthew Calilong paced the Blue Dragons with 15 points and 6 assists.