Sea Lions grab UCAA solo lead

MANILA, Philippines - The Olivarez College Sea Lions squandered a 15-point advantage in the endgame, but still escaped with a 73-66 beating of the rookie-laden Manuel L. Quezon University Stallions yesterday in the 10th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

Veteran cagers Marlon Lascunas, Franklin Mancio, John Flores and Robert Faundo stepped up just in time to lift the Sea Lions to their third consecutive win at their own home turf at the Olivarez College gymnasium in Sucat, Parañaque.

Their heroics in the last four minutes earned the Sea Lions the solo lead in this cagefest supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

The Sea Lions, who moved ahead of the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars (2-0), were ahead by 15, 61-46, in the final period, when the Stallions succeeded in shutting them down for six minutes.

Viscarra, who powered Olivarez College with 13 points, came into the picture after the Stallions threatened, 57-61. His driving shot past Joseph Celso and jumper in the last 2:36 gave the Sea Lions a chance to move ahead at 65-57 edge.

Robert Dulalia, who led the Stallions with 20 points, replied with two freebies with 1:09 to go, but a triple from Sea Lion Faundo and Mancio’s split charity pushed Olivarez further ahead, 69-61.

After Dulalia answered with a trey in the last 26.3 seconds, the Sea Lions fought back behind the free throws of Flores and Mancio in the remaining 5.8 seconds.

“Biglang nag-relax iyung mga bata sa fourth quarter. Sabi ko sa kanila, kung ganito ang lalaruin niyo, saglit lang ang 15-point lead namin. Buti na lang, gumanda ulit iyung shooting nila Flores at Mancio,” said Sea Lions coach Michael Saguiguit.

The Sea Lions will go for their fourth straight win when they play the Jaguars at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium in La Salle-Dasmarinas.

Mancio, Flores and Robert Torres each scored 11 for the Sea Lions, while Jopher Custodio made 18 for the Stallions.