MANILA, Philippines - Olivarez College and Diliman College came away with victories in varying fashions while College of St. Benilde outlasted fellow NCAA campaigner Jose Rizal College at the start of the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Summer Invitational at the Buddhacare gym in Quezon City recently.
Working behind their vaunted running game, the Olivarez Sea Lions rallied in the second half to edge the Centro Escolar University, 48-46, while the Diliman cagers stunned the National University Bulldogs, 69-57.
The CSB Blazers, on the other hand, leaned on a well-balanced attack to repulse the JRU Bombers, 76-72, in the tournament backed by Ever Bilena-Blackwater, Smart, Advanced Solution, Inc. and Manila Bulletin.
UCBL president Franklin Evidente led an array of league and school officials who graced the event serving a preseason tournament for UCBL, UAAP and NCAA teams.
At least six players scored six points or more for Olivarez with John Uduba and Archie Sunga finishing with eight points each.
Mentored by TY Tang, the Blazers came up with a decisive run in the second quarter behind Lorenzo Mercado, Jimboy Pasturan and Kenmark Miranda to pull away for good from JRU.
Alex Diakhite produced a double-double for Diliman College with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Rick Gerer and Jem Sombero combined for 25 points.
The top two teams after the double elims square off in the finals with the No. 1 gaining a twice-to-beat advantage.