Olivarez College and Centro Escolar University made emphatic statements in the PGFlex Invitational Tournament 2026 Quintana Cup, pulling off contrasting but equally impressive victories over defending champion University of the Philippines and La Salle, respectively, on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Olivarez served notice of its title aspirations by edging UP, 91-89, while reigning UCAL champion CEU flexed its firepower in a dominant 101-77 rout of La Salle, handing the Taft-based squad its first loss in two outings.
Jovel Baliling spearheaded Olivarez’s balanced attack with 19 points, including four triples, while five other Sea Lions chipped in at least eight points apiece to open their campaign on a winning note.
The collective effort proved enough to outlast the Diliman-based squad in the preseason tournament, which features eight schools, including Team B squads from the UAAP and NCAA.
Olivarez also weathered a spectacular individual performance from Irish Coquia, who nearly single-handedly carried the fight for the Maroons.
The versatile guard poured in 35 points and eight assists in nearly 35 minutes of action, including eight three-pointers, but his efforts went unrewarded. He had previously scored 25 points in UP’s 88-47 rout of Diliman College.
(C) UCAL
CEU, meanwhile, delivered its own statement by overwhelming La Salle behind a decisive third-quarter assault.
Clinging to a 49-40 halftime advantage, the Scorpions, led by Precious Momowei, Stanley Troy Gicoso, and Geric Canete, blew the game wide open by outscoring the Archers, 26-12, in the third period to cruise to the 24-point victory.
The 6-foot-9 Momowei, a transferee from the University of the East, dominated inside with a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds. Gicoso and Canete provided ample support with 18 points apiece.
CEU’s show of force also overshadowed the 31-point explosion of Agjanti Miller, whose efforts once again went to waste after the former San Beda star previously tallied 27 points in the team’s stunning 70-94 loss to league-leading Manila Central University (2-0) and 36 in its 92-82 victory over St. Clare.
UP, which dominated last season’s edition through the efforts of current stars Veejay Pre, James Payosing, and Elliot Dimaculangan, slipped to 1-1 in the tournament.
The event is backed by Smart, Puso.com, Hapee Toothpaste, Mighty Bond, Spalding, Maruyama, Gerry’s Grill, Crane, Vital Purified Water, and Akari.
