The Olivarez College Sea Lions solidified their grip of the top spot while the Centro Escolar University Scorpions rolled to their third consecutive win in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 3.
The Sea Lions needed a huge third quarter to repulse the Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers , 93-74, and extend their perfect run to four games at the Olivarez College in Parañaque City, Monday afternoon.
With Paolo Castro leading the charge, the Sea Lions exploded for 30 points in the pivotal third period that broke the game wide open.
Castro eventually finished with 19 points on a 8-of-16 shooting while Joshua Almajeda added 12 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals for Olivarez, which drew 36 points from its reserves.
Earlier in the day, the Scorpions fashioned out a massive 120-46 victory over the St. Joseph College of Bulacan Taurus.
Senegal’s Maodo Diouf produced 15 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks, and two steals while Rich Guinitaran chipped in 14 points, five boards, three steals, and two assists for CEU.
Scorpions coach Derrick Pumaren is satisfied with the way his troops responded from their shock season-opening 83-86 loss to the Sea Lions that has resulted in this winning run and solo second in the standings.
“I think it’s more of I would say a wake-up call for us,” said Pumaren. “We gotta play consistent basketball. If we have to dominate, then we have to dominate.
“When we played Olivarez, we were up sixteen, parang pa-easy-easy and they thought it would gonna be an easy picking. But it’s not gonna be like that. We just have to play. We just have to show up every game. We gotta play the game for forty minutes.”
Richard Salarza led St. Joseph with 10 points, two assists and two rebounds.
The Scores:
First Game
CEU (120) – Diouf 15, Guinitaran 14, Diaz 13, Fuentes 13, Rojas 12, Formento 11, David 9, Intic 9, Uri 9, Pamaran 7, Wamar 6, Umeamozie 2.
SJC-B (46) – Salarza 10, Buenaventura 8, Leguin 6, Taverner 6, Intal 5, Decena 4, Rupinta 4, Bernal 2, Cabuhat 1, Esteban 0, Barbacena 0, Jordan 0.
Quarterscores: 30-7, 56-19, 90-31, 120-46
Second Game
Olivarez (93) – Castro 19, Almajeda 12, Yani 11, Begaso 9, Lalata 8, Geronimo 7, Sala 7, Siegue 7, Saguiguit 6, De Leon 4, Uduba 3, Rocero 0, Terania 0, Completo 0, Santos 0.
TIP (74) – Jimenez 22, Santos B. 14, Palisoc 10, Tan 9, Santos I. 8, Ndiaye 4, Soriano 3, Ramos 2, Ramilo 2, Navarro 0, Verzosa 0, Seña 0.
Quarterscores: 23-22, 48-37, 78-60, 93-74