COLEGIO de San Lorenzo leaned this time on its brilliant defensive effort to take down Diliman College, 66-47, and seize the solo lead in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 2 on Saturday at the Olivarez College gym in Sucat, Parañaque City.
Import Souleman Chabi Yo came through with another solid showing, posting 24 points and 15 rebounds while underrated big man John Rojas added 14 points. But it was the Griffins’ sustained defensive intensity that made life miserable for the Blue Dragons.
It was the third straight victory in as many tries for Colegio de San Lorenzo, keeping itself atop the eight-team field while further underlining its title credentials. Diliman College suffered its first setback after three matches, slipping down to third overall.
“Our defense will always be our main weapon,” said CdSL coach Boni Garcia, clearly satisfied with his wards’ collective effort that limited Diliman College to just 31 percent (19-of-62) shooting from the field and forced them to turn the ball over 19 times.
“We really wanted to pressure their guards. We didn't want them to make easy entry passes to (Diliman College import Adama) Diakhite,” added Garcia, referring to the 6-foot-9 Senegalese who tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds but made just 8-of-18 tries from the field.
The absence of top guard Rickson Gerero due to flu turned out to be a serious blow for the Blue Dragons, with Robbi Darang and Aldrin Ligon emerging as their highest local scorer with seven points each.
Meantime, last year’s runner-up Olivarez College finally nailed its first win with a 95-77 drubbing of newcomer Lyceum Philippine University-Batangas in the second game.
The scores:
CdSL 66 — Chabi Yo 24, Rojas 14, Formento 9, Gabriel 5, Sablan 5, Callano 4, Laman 3, Alvarado 2, Ancheta 0, Baldevia 0, Borja 0, Vargas 0.
Diliman College 47 — Diakhite 18, Darang 7, Ligon 7, Bauzon 5, Brutas 5, Buenaobra 3, Chavenia 2, Handag 0, Mbiya 0, Mondala 0, Sombero 0, Tay 0.
Quarters: 17-13, 35-22, 50-37, 66-47.
Games Monday
(Olivarez College gym)
12 noon — TIP vs CEU
2 p.m. — UB vs CdSL
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