BENIN'S Kevine Gandjeto imposed his will inside in the payoff period as Diliman College outlasted Olivarez College, 63-57, on Monday to rule the Universities and Colleges Basketball League Season 3.
Silencing the big Sea Lions crowd that packed the Olivarez gym in Parañaque, Gandjeto produced the game's biggest plays for the Blue Dragons in the final three minutes of play.
Gandjeto's dunk in the last 10.6 seconds put an exclamation point as Diliman won the series, 2-1.
“Napakasarap itong championship na ito. No one expected us to be in this situation. It was hard work and perseverance of the players that won it for us," said DIliman coach Rensy Bajar.
Making up for a seven-point, five-rebound outing in last Thursday's 71-80 loss that leveled the series, Gandjeto came up with 14 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and three steals for Diliman.
Graduating swingman John Mahari, who scored four of his seven points in the Blue Dragons' telling 11-0 run that erased a 41-47 deficit early in the fourth period that changed the complexion of the match, was named the Finals MVP.
The Blue Dragons went on a 9-0 run to grab a 15-8 lead before the Sea Lions closed out the first period with seven straight points to tie the game at 15.
Joshua Almajeda led the Sea Lions with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Dwight Saguiguit had 12 points, four assists and four boards.
Paolo Castro, Olivarez's heart and soul, struggled by going scoreless in the first half and eventually finished with only six points.
The scores:
Diliman 63 – Brutas 14, Gandjeto 14, Bauzon 11, Mahari 7, Enriquez 6, Darang 4, Salazar E. 4, Coquia 3, Salazar J. 0, Ligon 0.
Olivarez 57 - Almajeda 14, Saguiguit 12, Elie 9, Lalata 8, Castro 6, Begaso 4, Udoba 2, Sala 2, Completo 0, De Leon 0.
Quarterscores: 15-15; 32-28; 41-45; 63-57.
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