CEU, Diliman College clinch twice-to-beat edge

MANILA, Philippines — Centro Escolar University and Diliman College, priming up for their much-anticipated showdown next week, clinched the two twice-to-beat slots in the Final Four after besting separate foes in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 3 yesterday at the Olivarez College in Parañaque.

Pierce Chan shot 25 points, including a huge triple off a Keanu Caballero assist in the final 15.9 seconds that lifted the Scorpions past Olivarez College, 89-82, to extend their winning run to 10 games.

The Blue Dragons, on a nine-game roll, also remained undefeated in the second round following an 82-61 romp of Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas.

CEU and Diliman improved to 10-1, as the two teams duke it out on Thursday for the top ranking at the end of the double-round eliminations.

After avenging their season-opening 83-86 loss to the Sea Lions, coach Derrick Pumaren wanted his Scorpions to go all-out to carry the needed momentum going into the Final Four.

“We are still going for the No. 1 spot. We are here not just to make the twice-to-beat slot. Getting the No. 1 spot is our immediate goal,” said Pumaren.

With Olivarez trailing only 82-85, Caballero, with nowhere to go inside the lane, found Chan from the three-point area and calmly converted the game’s biggest basket to give CEU a six-point advantage.