Games Monday (Olivarez gym, Parañaque City): 12 noon – UB vs LPU-B; 2 p.m. – NCBA vs Diliman; 4 p.m. – Olivarez vs PCU-D
LEAGUE-LEADING University of Batangas and Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas renew their rivalry while defending champion Diliman College shoots for its fourth straight win in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) on Monday at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.
The fancied teams from South square off at 12 noon with the UB Brahmans out to extend their winning streak to five games while the DC Blue Dragons collide with newcomer National College of Business and Arts at 2 p.m.
Capping off the three-game schedule of the eight-team tournament is the 4 p.m. battle between Olivarez College and Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas – two teams toting similar 1-2 records.
Both the Brahmans and Pirates are coming off big wins with the former beating undermanned Centro Escolar University, 112-86, and the Pirates having beaten the Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers, 79-69, last Sunday.
The Brahmans wore down the six-man CEU side with their fast and furious game to post their biggest win since the birth of the league four years ago.
UB’s first win over CEU should be credited largely to Don Tabol and JJ Caspe, who led five players in double figures with 21 and 20 points, respectively.
CEU was forced to field only six players as it played its semis match in the PBA D-League almost at the same time.
Out to lead the Pirates is 5-foot-10 Aliane Lapasaran, who exploded for 27 points on 12-of-22 shooting from the field aside from tallying 9 assists, seven steals and six rebounds in an almost no-relief job.
Forward Johnnel Bauzon, who pumped in 20 points and collared 10 rebounds in their 72-66 nipping of Olivarez College exactly a week ago, is counted upon to lead the Blue Dragons.
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