The Diliman College Blue Dragons claimed the solo leadership of the 2018 Smart Universities and Colleges Basketball League by destroying erstwhile co-leaders National University Bulldogs, 79-54, at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy on Wednesday.
The Blue Dragons’ defense limited the Bulldogs to a lone field goal in the first period, and that settled the outcome early, 24-2.
Adama Diakhite frolicked against all defenders thrown at him to account for 14 of his 31 points in the first period alone, on top of nine rebounds and five blocks.
Shooter Joseph Brutas continued the onslaught with 10 of his 12 points in the second period, to go with 12 rebounds and seven assists, while point guard Kristoffer Torrado also had 12 points and nine assists.
Robert Minerva led NU with 13 markers.
On the other hand, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers entered the win-column with a 79-77 escape over Olivarez College Sea Lionss.
Baskets from Renze Abando and a free throw from Sherwin Concepcion gave the Growling Tigers a 78-74 advantage, but the Sea Lions retaliated with a triple from Kim Siegue with five seconds remaining to cut the gap to a single point, 77-78.
M Lagumen was quickly fouled, and gave UST anxious moments as he missed his first but made his second free throw, 79-77. The Sea Lions sued for time and had one last chance to force overtime or win the game outright, but Makki Santos missed his attempt at the buzzer.
Concepcion keyed the win with nine of his 21 points in the fourth period to go with 17 rebounds and three assists. Abando supported him with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
In the main game, the Centro Escolar University Scorpions stayed within striking distance of Diliman College with a clinical 88-63 demolition of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.
The Scorpions turned up the heat by going on a 22-4 run to begin the fourth period for their biggest lead of the game, 82-55, and the Heavy Bombers never recovered.
New recruit John Edcel Rojas powered the Scorpions with 14 points and three rebounds in only 12 minutes of play. Orlan Wamar canned four triples for also 14 points while Gilles Oloume and Tyron Chan chipped in 12 markers each for their second straight win.
The Scores:
First Game
Diliman (79) – Diakhite 31, Brutas 12, Torrado 12, Tay 7, Arceta 4, Sombero 4, Olea 3, Salazar 2, Bauzon 2, Diaz 2, Darang 0, Cecilio 0, Angeles 0.
NU (54) – Minerva 13, Yu 10, Rangel 8, Malonzo 8, Diputado 6, Puray 5, Atienza 3, Flores 1, Sistoza 0, Salim 0, Penano 0.
Quarterscores: 24-2, 45-29, 67-39, 79-54.
Second Game
UST (79) – Concepcion 21, Abando 19, Paraiso 15, Pangilinan 7, Batuzolele 7, Monje 7, Yongco 2, Lagumen 1, Enriquez 0, Ayo 0.
Olivarez (77) – Castro 16, Elie 14, Santos 13, Almajeda 9, Siegue 6, Completo 6, Rocero 5, Campos 3, Ignacio 2, de Leon 2, Terania 1, Patizar 0, Sala 0, Geronimo 0.
Quarterscores: 18-10, 34-37, 56-52, 79-77.
Third Game
CEU (88) – Wamar 14, Rojas 14, Oloume 12, Chan 12, Cruz 7, Formento 7, Umeanozie 7, Ello 4, Galinato 4, Guinitaran 4, Uri 2, Ke Caballero 1, Ko Caballero 0, Pamaran 0.
JRU (63) – Mendoza 15, Padua 11, Estrella 7, Dulalia 6, Bordon 6, Ramos 5, Steinl 4, Esguerra 3, Perez 2, de la Virgen 2, de la Rosa 2, Silvarez 0, Serafica 0.
Quarterscores: 10-13, 34-33, 60-51, 88-63.
