Olivarez reaches UCBL final

MANILA, Philippines — Olivarez College completed a stunning Final Four reversal as it downed Centro Escolar University, 64-61, to book a return trip to the finals of the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Season 3 yesterday.

Joshua Almajeda grabbed a huge rebound from a Chris Lalata missed second free throw and Harold Sala, filling in for a cramping Paolo Castro, hit two charities off a Pierce Chan foul for a three-point Sea Lions advantage.

The Scorpions tried to send the game into overtime in the final 6.1 seconds but Maodo Diouf bungled his desperation triple at the buzzer, igniting a celebration from the home fans.

Olivarez will face top-ranked Diliman College in the Finals.  The Sea Lions lost twice to the Blue Dragons in the elimination round.

Game 1 of the best-of-three series is set at 12 noon on Monday at the Olivarez College in Parañaque.