UC Dragons retain UCAA cage crown

MANILA, Philippines - Mac Montilla took over in the fourth quarter as the Universal College Dragons beat the Colegio Sta. Monica Cougars, 71-52, to retain their crown in the eighth Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) men’s basketball finals at the Technological Institute of the Philippines-Casal gym yesterday.

Montilla fired 12 of his game-high 19 points in the last period as the Dragons held off the Cougars, who came to within three points after three quarters, to complete a sweep of their best-of-three series.

The Dragons also took Game 1, 69-56, in the tournament backed by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

Lester Reyes also scored 15 points for Universal College and went on to capture the MVP plum. Jay Ferreria also had 10 points for the Dragons.

The Cougars got nine points from Warren Rosal, who was held to one point in the fourth quarter.

Earlier, the Olivarez College Sea Lions turned to Marlon Vizcarra in the endgame as they turned back the TIP Engineers, 90-87, in double overtime to clinch third place.

Vizcarra, who had 18 points, fired a triple and made two free throws in the last seven seconds to propel the Sea Lions to their best finish in two seasons.