Centro Escolar University bolstered its bid for a first-ever back-to-back championship by outlasting Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, 71-64, to secure the first finals berth in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 on Thursday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The reigning champions relied on an explosive first-quarter display to earn a return trip to the finals, aiming for their third title since claiming the league’s inaugural edition in 2016.
A last-minute three-pointer by Daniel Marcelo capped CEU’s dominant opening quarter, giving the Scorpions a 26-12 lead, providing them with enough cushion to withstand LPU-B’s persistent rallies in the latter half of their one-game semifinal showdown.
CEU will now face fellow two-time champion Diliman College in a best-of-three title series starting Saturday, also at the same venue.
In contrast, the Diliman Blue Dragons relied on a strong fourth-quarter performance to dispatch the Olivarez College Sea Lions, 72-65, in their own semifinal duel.
It was also Marcelo who extended CEU’s lead to its largest margin of 21, 66-45, with still 5:29 remaining.
However, the Scorpions relaxed prematurely, allowing the Pirates of Batangas to trim their once formidable lead to just four points, 68-64, with back-to-back triples by Einstein Ramos and Edward de Chavez.
But time was not on their side as the Scorpions ultimately dashed their hopes by sinking three of four free throws in the last 18 seconds.
Marcelo finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Franz Ray Diaz added 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Alpha Bah paced the Pirates with 20 points and 9 boards.
