By Kristel Satumbaga
Centro Escolar University blasted University of Batangas 75-55 on Thursday to settle for third place in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez gym in Parañaque City.
Maodo Diouf leads the CEU Scorpions with a double-double performance of 18 points and 14 rebound to go with four assists and four blocks. (UCBL Images / File Photo)
Maodo Diouf spearheaded the Scorpions with a double-double performance of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while dishing off four assists and making four blocks.
The Scorpions made their intentions felt of ending their campaign on a bright note in the opening quarter with a 21-19 lead and pulled away at the half, 42-33.
They went on full throttle by turning their 52-43 edge to a 60-43 bubble bridging the fourth period by unloading eight straight points headed by Diouf.
Dave Bernade also paced CEU with 21 points on a 10-of-15 shooting, while adding five rebounds and six assists. Angel Paul Escalona chipped in 13 points and four assists while Christian Malicana contributed 11 points.
Three players scored in double figures for the UB Brahmans but lost their steam in the last quarter.
JJ Caspe and Raoul Yemeli fired 14 points each apart from merging 23 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, while Melvin Ricaña had 13 points.
CEU had a shot at a finals berth but lost to defending champion Diliman College in a heartbreaking 64-63 decision in the semis.
UB, for its part, failed to beat Olivarez College twice and yielded 83-79 in the knockout match after an 89-80 triumph.
Meanwhile, pointguard Jayboy Solis of Olivarez College was adjudged the season Most Valuable Player after posting 314 statistical points.
Solis averaged 22.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1 steal and 3.5 blocks in the eliminations in steering Sea Lions to their third finals appearance.
University of Batangas’ Raoul Yemeli also took the podium with the Best Foreign Player plum, averaging 14.4 points, 13 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
(From left) Horacio Lim, UCBL Tournament Director, Nelson Guevarra, PG Flex Linoleum owner, JayBoy Solis, MVP, Franklin Evidente, UCBL Pres
Neil Guevarra, PG Flex MKTG head.
Joining Solis in the Mythical Team are Diliman College’s Johnnel Bauzon, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas’ Sandee Diez, Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas’ Aliane Lapasaran and UB’s JJ Caspe.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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