Sea Lions force rubber in NCRAA title series

MANILA, Philippines - Three veterans struck hard in the third period for the Olivarez College Sea Lions, who outplayed the Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners, 85-62, Tuesday in Game 2 of 19th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball best-of-three finals at the Olivarez College gymnasium in Sucat, Parañaque.

 Mark Orias, Philip de la Cruz and John Flores scored big baskets at the start of the second half and their efforts enabled the Sea Lions to tie the series at 1-all.

The Mariners took Game 1, 87-79, in this cagefest supported by Mikasa, Molten Balls, and ANI AgriNurture Inc.

Using their home-court advantage to the hilt, the Sea Lions turned on the heat in the last eight minutes of the third canto.

Flores, who scored eight points, initiated the breakaway with a triple, before Orias and Dela Cruz joined the fray to give Olivarez a 52-43 lead with 6:37 to go, from a 40-42 deficit.

The Mariners struggled to catch up from there, falling behind by 12, 53-65, at the end of the third period behind triples from De la Cruz, Flores and Orias.

“It’s nice we got a second chance. Momentum shifted in our favor with the home-court advantage. They were inspired by the presence of Dr. Pablo Olivarez,” said Olivarez coach Michael Saguiguit.

The Sea Lions will try to secure the crown against the Mariners when they meet again in the deciding Game 3 at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium inside the De La Salle-Dasmariñas campus.

The Mariners, with Trinidad and Elmar Moradas making 18 and 15 points, respectively, were held to just nine points in the last period.

“They no longer have the home-court advantage in the next game, so we’ll have a chance to get back,” said Mariners coach Aldrin Morante.