Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas stunned reigning titlist Olivarez College, 83-77, solidifying its bid for an outright berth as the first phase of the PGFlex-UCAL Season 8 Basketball Tournament came to a close on Monday at Paco Arena in Manila.
Only one of PCU-D’s starters failed to reach double figures, but the difference-maker was the team’s air-tight defense on the usually explosive foreign-student athlete Hakim Njiasse, whom they held to a season-low 2 points.
John Carl Catayong led the Dolphins with a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds, along with 3 assists, while JayR Pronda contributed 18 points and 7 boards. Kingsley Anaba and Alvin Reyes combined for 27 points, with Anaba hauling in 15 rebounds.
Displaying the ferocity of a hungry bear since the arrival of Precious Momowei, the CEU Scorpions dominated the competition in the 9-school league to complete an 8-0 sweep, emphasizing their determination to bring the championship trophy back to Mendiola.
PCU-D and Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, which edged Immaculada Concepcion College, 65-59, finished with identical 5-3 records. However, PCU-D claimed third place by virtue of their head-to-head win over LPU-B.
The top four teams will carry their win-loss records into the next round, with the Nos. 1 and 2 squads advancing directly to the semifinals. Meanwhile, the third and fourth placers will face the top two finishers from the other bracket—the fifth to ninth placers—who will also play an additional round.
Two-time champion Diliman College, which routed Philippine Women’s University, 73-58, ended up fifth with a 4-4 record, followed by ICC (3-5), MCU (3-5), UB (1-7), and PWU (1-7).
The second phase of the elimination round begins Thursday, with CEU chasing its ninth straight win against PCU-D at 12 noon, while Olivarez faces LPU-B.
