High-leaping forward Bryan Manuel scored 18 points to help reigning champion Olivarez College secure a 65-56 victory over Philippine Women’s University in the PG Flex-UCAL Season 8 Basketball Tournament on Monday, Feb. 9, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
After a disappointing performance in the team’s 68-65 opening win over Immaculada Concepcion College last week, Manuel returned to form. He was outsmarting and overpowering defenders to shoot 6-of-10 while adding five rebounds and two assists in nearly 27 minutes of play.
Earlier, Cameroonian student-athlete Hakim Njiasse had struggled with his shooting, going 0-of-4 from the field and 5-of-10 from the free-throw line. But he made up for it by hauling in 17 rebounds, helping the Sea Lions dominate the Patriots on the boards, 55-36.
Also posting their second wins in as many games were former champions Centro Escolar University and Diliman College.
Relying on another double-double from new recruit Precious Momowei and strong support from Christ Jay Singson, the CEU Scorpions routed the ICC Blue Hawks, 89-65.
Momowei, a 6-foot-9 transferee from the University of the East, finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Singson added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
Meanwhile, the Diliman Blue Dragons overcame the Manila Central University Supremos, 83-74, led by standout FSA Solomon Kone, who posted 24 points, 18 rebounds, and three assists.
Kone received solid backing from Matthew Calilong and Leonard Marana, who contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively.
In the other matchup, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas rebounded from a narrow 73-74 loss to Diliman by edging Lyceum-Batangas, 72-71, thanks to clutch performances from JayR Pronda and John Carl Catayong.
Catayong led all PCU-D scorers with 13 points, while Pronda added 12, including two pressure-packed free throws in the final moments.
