ROBBI Darang nailed a short jumper in the final 17.5 seconds as Diliman College nipped Centro Escolar University, 87-86, on Thursday to claim the No. 1 ranking in the Final Four of the Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez College in Parañaque City.
The Dragons finished with the league's best record at 11-1, while CEU settled for second spot at 10-2.
"CEU is a tough team. They have a good coaching staff, lalo na kay coach Derrick Pumaren. Hopefully magharap kami ulit," said Diliman College coach Rensy Bajar.
It was a tough outing for the Scorpions, who led by eight, 21-13, then found themselves trailing by 10 as Keanu Caballero scored on a layup, with 23.2 seconds remaining.
Diliman will face No. 4 Technological Institute of the Philippines in the semifinals starting on Monday. CEU will play third-ranked Olivarez College in the other semifinal pairing.
Darang finished with 19 points, five assists and four rebounds while Joseph Brutas chipped in 12 markers for Diliman.
Guinitaran paced CEU with 21 points to go with five rebounds while Diouf had a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds.
The scores:
First Game
Diliman (87) -- Darang 19, Brutas 12, Bauzon 11, Gandjeto 11, Mahari 10, Enriquez 9, Salazar J. 7, Salazar E. 5, Sombero 2, Lisika 1, Coquia 0.
CEU (86) -- Guinitaran 21, Diouf 16, Caballero Ke. 11, Chan 10, Diaz 9, Fuentes 8, Formento 7, Intic 2, Uri 2, Rojas 0.
Quarterscores: 21-13, 43-43, 75-66, 87-86
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