Robbi Darang and Axl Taporco combined for 13 triples as former champion Diliman College stunned reigning titlist Centro Escolar University, 86-73, in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
Showing the discipline that had made them the league’s two-time champions, the Blue Dragons leaned on two significant offensive spurts in the first two quarters before displaying defensive brilliance in the payoff period to secure the victory.
In the other game, Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas rebounded from a 75-68 loss to Diliman last Monday by defeating Olivarez College for a 6-1 mark.
The Olivarez Sea Lions fell to 3-2, tied for third to fourth places with the University of Batangas.
In his finest game so far, Darang erupted for 32 points on an impressive 11-of-19 shooting from the field, spiked by six triples, while orchestrating the team’s attack with almost razor-sharp precision.
This performance enabled Darang to collect 7 assists and the same number of rebounds, while Taporco chipped in 23 points built around 7 triples as the Blue Dragons handed the Scorpions their second defeat in seven games.
The win was the second straight and third overall in six games for the Diliman squad, good enough to revive its bid to advance to the second phase of eliminations for the top four teams, where they play another round.
The top two finishers secure twice-to-beat bonuses in the quarters.
Meanwhile, the teams ranking from fifth to ninth places will also play another round, with the last placer to be eliminated.
