OLIVAREZ College and Diliman College dispute the early lead as multi-titled Centro Escolar University tries to rebound from a shock opening-day defeat in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez College gym in Paranaque City.
The Olivarez Sea Lions and the Diliman Blue Dragons collide at 2 p.m. both looking to score follow-ups to their impressive opening-game victories.
Behind the efforts of ace gunner Chris Lalata and 6-foot-7 Cameroonian Yani Eli, the Sea Lions scored an 86-83 win over the Derrick Pumaren-mentored CEU Scorpions last week.
Olivarez coach Myk Saguiguit is hoping to use their come-from-behind win as another motivation to notch their straight win.
The Blue Dragons of coach Renzy Bajar, on the other hand, scored a 126-71 drubbing of St. Joseph College of Bulacan.
Clashing at 12 p.m. are the Scorpions and the Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas with the latter also going for their second straight win following a gutsy 82-74 victory over Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas.
Diliman’s 126-point output is the highest in the league.
But the Blue Dragons need to play solid defensively if they are to limit the production of Lalata who erupted for 31 points on an impressive 12-of-15 shooting from the field.
Aside from Lalata, Bajar’s other concern is Eli who posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 boards as he outmuscled CEU’s 6-foot-11 Maodo Malick Diouf in the tournament backed by CaféFrance, Yakult, Gerry’s Grill, Hapee Toothpaste, MaxSell Power Tool and Tough Mama Home and Kitchen Appliances, Tanduay Athletics and Toyota Motor Philippines.
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