Sea Lions enter finals

MANILA, Philippines - Franklin Mancio banged in 26 points, while Eldridge Corpus chipped 15 as they led the defending champion Olivarez Sea Lions to an 81-73 stopping of the La Salle-Dasmariñas Patriots at the latter’s own home-court here.

But it was the heroics of Corpus, Marvie Bustos and Mark Guillen in the last period which spelled the difference for the Sea Lions, who went on to sweep their best-of-three semifinals series with the Patriots in the 12th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Ugnayang La Salle gymnasium.

With the win, the Sea Lions earned the first finals slot of this cagefest supported with a two-game sweep.

As the Patriots threatened, 55-57, at the end of the third, Corpus, Bustos and Guillen hit timely baskets that allowed the Sea Lions to gain some distance. They eventually found themselves grabbing a 74-63 edge in the last 3:20 off Guillen’s putback.

The Sea Lions, behind Guillen and  Mancio with 14 points, earlier came away with an 88-60 smothering of the Patriots in Game 1 at the Olivarez College gymnasium in Sucat, Paranaque.

Meanwhile, the Johnedel Cardel-coached Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder stunned the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars, 88-67, to keep their championship hopes alive.

Rennel Montecillo fired 28 points, including eight triples, to help the Blue Thunder tie their semis series with the Jaguars at 1-all.

Montecillo made his presence felt in the second canto, shooting five treys as the Blue Thunder widened a 21-20 first- quarter lead to 49-31 at halftime.

Aries Dionisio sizzled with 37 points for the Philip Cezar-coached PSBA Jaguars, who frustrated the Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder, 97-87, in Game 1.