Olivarez College and Philippine Christian University – Dasmariñas made short work of their semifinal opponents to set up a best-of-three Finals showdown in the UCAL-PGFlex Linoleum 7th Season on Thursday at Paco Arena in Manila.
The top two teams from the elimination round proved their dominance, advancing without needing their twice-to-beat advantage.
The Olivarez College Sea Lions survived a gritty challenge from the Diliman College Blue Dragons, 63-60, while the PCU-D Dolphins outlasted the ICC Blue Hawks, 79-70.
Both victories, however, were not without drama. Olivarez leaned on a clutch performance from Hanz Maycong, who delivered in the final moments to lift the Sea Lions to their fifth Finals appearance in seven seasons.
Maycong finished with 16 points, including a go-ahead jumper that gave Olivarez a 61-60 lead with just over a minute remaining, as well as game-sealing free throws with seven seconds left.
Jhon Patrick Panelo led the Sea Lions with 19 points, while Rodel Renon added 13. Hakim Njiasse anchored the paint, grabbing 18 rebounds to go along with seven points.
Meanwhile, PCU-D pulled off a huge fourth-quarter surge to fend off ICC.
The Dolphins broke away with an 11-2 run, turning a slim 67-65 lead into a commanding 78-67 advantage with just two minutes left in the game.
Ram Mesqueriola and Kingsley Anaba powered PCU-D with 19 and 17 points, respectively, while Dave Bagatnan contributed 15 as the Dolphins secured their first-ever Finals appearance in the league.
Olivarez, which topped the elimination round with a 10-3 record, is eager to finally clinch its first championship after finishing as runner-up in its previous four attempts.
Meanwhile, PCU-D is making its deepest playoff run since joining the league in 2018.
Game 1 of the UCAL Season 7 Finals is set for April 3 at Paco Arena.
