
Diliman survives Olivarez
Games Thursday:
(Olivarez College)
12 noon -- LPU-Batangas vs TIP
2 p.m. -- Diliman vs St. Joseph
DILIMAN College did it again.
Robbie Darang delivered the game-winning basket -- a lay-up with 15.4 seconds left -- and Michael Salazar came up with a defensive gem to lift Diliman College to a heart- stopping 85-84 win over Olivarez College in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 3 basketball tournament at the Olivarez College in Parañaque City.
Darang’s game-winner and Salazar’s huge block on Paolo Castro’s triple late in the game enabled the Blue Dragons of former Sen. Nikki Coseteng and coach Rensy Bajar to extend their winning streak to five games and climb into solo second place with a 6-1 win-loss record.
More importantly, the win boosted the chances of the Quezon City-based Blue Dragons in the race for the two twice-to-beat slots in the Final Four.
Only Centro Escolar University has better record than Diliman with its 7-1 slate.
CEU defeated Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, 102-63.earlier in the day.
“We’re on a roll now. I hope the boys will continue to play well and focus on our objective to clinch one of the top two place with twice-to-beat advantages,” said Bajar, also the first assistant coach of PBA legend Pido Jarencio in the NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA.
“Even with a 6-1 record, we can’t afford to relax since we are only half a game behind CEU with a game against SJC-B on Thursday,” added Bajar, who is hoping to add another collegiate crown to Diliman’s fast-growing collection.
Bajar thanked Sen. Coseteng and team sponsors Jerome Ngo and Wilson Sia of Gerry’s Grill for their support.
John Mahari topscored for the Blue Dragons with 26 points, while Kevin Gandjeto added 16 points.
Darang contributed 13 and Salazar had nine.
The scores:
Diliman (85) -- Mahari 26, Gandjeto 16, Darang 13, Coquia 9, Salazar M. 9, Bauzon 7, Brutas 3, Lisika 2, Salazar E. 0, Enriquez 0, Pacheco 0.
Olivarez (84) --Castro 24, Saguiguit 14, Yani 10, Udoba 8, Begaso 7, De Leon 6, Siegue 6, Almajeda 5, Lalata 4, Completo 0, Geronimo 0, Sala 0.
Quarterscores: 24-18, 44-40, 66-70, 85-84.