TECHNOLOGICAL Institute of the Philippines pulled off a stunning 108-85 win over defending champion and erstwhile unbeaten Diliman College in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League on Monday at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.
The Engineers banked on the game-long brilliance of Papa Ndiaye, Christian Daguro and Warren Calara in snapping Diliman’s impressive nine-game winning run in the fourth season of the eight-team league.
Ndiaye exploded for 33 points on an 11-of-19 shooting apart from hauling down 17 rebounds and dishing off six assists as TIP snapped finished with a 3-7 record.
Though already out of Final Four picture, the Engineers surprised almost everybody by playing with lots of pride this time.m
Despite the loss, Diliman still finished at No. 1 at the end of the eliminations.
Meanwhile, University of Batangtas reaffirmed its mastery of Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas, 100-87, to assure itself of a third place finish with a 7-3 record.
The semis pairings, however, will only be known after the game between Olivarez College (7-2) and winless National College of Business and Arts.
If Olivarez wins, the Sea Lions will take the No. 2 spot while Centro Escolar University slide down to No. 4 and will meet the Diliman Blue Dragons.
Daguro waxed hot from afar to finish with 21 points, including five triples. He was an assist shy of completing a double-double, while Calara added 19 points and six boards.