Dylan Darbin rediscovered his scoring touch just in time for a crucial push, leading reigning champion Centro Escolar University to a thrilling 98-92 double-overtime victory against Olivarez College at the start of the second round of the UCAL-PGFlex Linoleum 7th Season on Monday, March 3, at Paco Arena in Manila.
Struggling in previous outings, the 6-foot guard erupted for 39 points, putting on a shooting clinic and capping off his stellar performance with the team’s last four points from the free throw line.
His heroics helped the Scorpions avenge their 86-76 loss to the Sealions in the first elimination round.
Darbin had ample support from Israel Friday, who dominated the boards with an eye-popping 33 rebounds to go along with 20 points, while CJ Singson chipped in 14 points for the three-peat-seeking CEU squad.
Meanwhile, Manila Central University reaffirmed its dominance over Philippine Women’s University with a commanding 92-63 victory, improving its record to 7-3 for solo second place. Deo Laconsay came off the bench to lead four MCU players in double figures, finishing with 17 points.
A major setback for the Sealions was the unusually quiet performance of high-scoring Hakim Njiasse. The foreign student-athlete was limited to just three points and 10 rebounds, far from his usual output.
The Scorpions, who wrapped up the eliminations at No. 7 with a 4-5 record, had a golden opportunity to seal the win in the first overtime. However, Darbin missed his second free throw with 18 seconds left, keeping the score tied at 83-all.
Olivarez, the tournament’s top-seeded team at 8-1, had two chances to steal the game but failed to convert both potential game-winning shots, forcing another five-minute extension.
In the second overtime, the Sealions surged ahead, 88-83, but Darbin answered with a clutch three-pointer before Renly Lanz Bayquin completed a three-point play, shifting the momentum in CEU’s favor. Darbin, who also tallied nine rebounds and seven assists, took control down the stretch to secure the hard-fought win.
This marks the first double-overtime game of the season.
The Scorpions now face a must-win situation in their remaining three games to secure a spot in the semifinals of the tournament, which is supported by Akari, CafeFrance, Advance Solutions Inc., Smart Sports, Spalding, Team Rebel Sports, Quintana Sports, Crane Faucet, Hapee Toothpaste, Jiang Nan Restaurant, Vital, Top Flite Academy, Maruyama, and Gerry’s Grill.
