Olivarez, PSBA near title collision

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Olivarez College and Philippine School of Business Administration held off separate rivals to move closer to a title showdown in the 12th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Olivarez gym in Sucat, Parañaque yesterday.

Mark Guillen and Franklin Mancio fired 14 points each to power the Sea Lions to an 88-60 rout of the La Salle-Dasmariñas Patriots in the opener of their best-of-three semifinal series.

Aries Dionisio sizzled with 37 points as the PSBA Jaguars trounced the Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder, 97-87, in the other semis match of the tournament backed by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

The Sea Lions, watched by Dr. Pablo Olivarez, pulled away in the last 2:10 of the second quarter on a layup and a three-point play by Eldridge Corpus, who finished with 13 points, for a 36-26 lead.