University of the Philippines and Manila Central University kept their bids for outright semifinal spots alive even as Immaculada Concepcion College pulled off a shocker in the PGFlex Invitational Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Maroons drew another double-double from Nigerian Francis Nnoruka to beat Olivarez College, 74-53, and even their record to 2-2, while the ICC cagers stunned the Adamson Falcons, 90-76, for their first win in five games in the seven-team pre-season tournament also presented by Quintana.
Day of upsets
Also scoring big were the MCU Supremos who eked out a thrilling 68-64 win over the reigning UCAL champions Centro Escolar University Scorpions to snap a two-game skid.
Mark Joel Joson scattered 18 points apart from grabbing 6 boards while Rapael Perhis and Brendon Ocampo combined for 23 points as the Supremos hiked their record to 3-2.
Dylan Darbin, the hero in CEU’s 63-61 win over UP last Monday, struggled for 7 points this time.
The 6-foot-8 Nnoruka tallied 25 points and 15 boards as he anchored UP’s torrid start that helped the Diliman-based squad establish a 22-11 lead, which they protected to the end.
Rey Remogat, another transferee from UE, shot 3-of-15 from the field but was impressive in other departments with 12 rebounds and 8 assists.
Edrian Mark Ramirez shone brightest in ICC’s first win by registering 28 points, 9 boards and 7 assists while Dowillum Morenos, AJ Flores and Cervin Laran had 16, 14 and 12 points, respectively.
La Salle and CEU have already advanced outright to the semis on 5-0 and 4-2 marks.
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