MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Technological Institute of the Philippines split its last two games, bowing down to the Centro Escolar University Scorpions, 63-73, and hacking out a hard-earned 57-50 victory over the Enderun College Titans to share the lead with streaking the Diliman College Blue Dragons of coach Rensy Bajar in the National Collegiate Basketball League.
“We had to sort out some internal problems in the team after we lost to CEU. The boys regrouped in time to beat Enderun,” said TIP head coach Potit de Vera.
The game was tied at 45 all with four minutes left when the Engineers closed out the game with a 15-5 run en route to earning a fourth win against a single loss.
Kimley Medina and Jeff Yanes topscored for TIP with 17 and 13 points apiece while Jordas Rios paced Enderun Colleges with 15 markers.
Meanwhile, the DC Blue Dragons made a decisive run in the third quarter, coming from behind to rip CEU, 70-58.
Later on, DC blasted AIE College of Angeles City, 104-44, to improve to 4-1 (win-loss record) in the tourney backed by Hoop It Up, Zic Oil Lubricants, Athletes-in Action, and Manila Standard-Today as media partner.
“The team has been responding well and everyone is contributing, playing well on both ends of the court,” said Bajar.
Trinity University of Asia also rallied and edged out the Titans, 68-65, for a fourth win against two losses.
The top four teams after the qualifying round advance to the semifinals where No. 1 meets No. 4 and No. 2 clashes with No. 3. The NCBL champion earns a slot in the Philippine Collegiate Championship League ( PCCL ) which starts later this month.