Diliman catches fire, shocks CEU

Spitfire Robbi Marion Darang and Axl Ross Taporco combined for 13 triples as former champion Diliman College stunned reigning titlist Centro Escolar University, 86-73, in the Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 yesterday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Showing the discipline that had made them the league’s two-time champions, the Blue Dragons leaned on two big offensive spurts in the first two quarters before coming through with a defensive brilliance in the payoff period to prevail.

In the other game, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas rebounded from a 75-68 loss to Diliman last Monday by repulsing Olivarez College for a 6-1 mark.

The Olivarez Sea Lions fell to 3-2 — tied for third to fourth places with University of Batangas.

In his finest game so far, Darang erupted for 32 points on an impressive 11-of-19 shooting from the field spiked by six triples apart from orchestrating the team’s attack with almost razor-sharp precision.

That enabled Darang to collect seven assists and the same number of rebounds, while Taporco chipped in 23 points built around seven triples as the Blue Dragons handed the Scorpions their second defeat in seven games.

The win was the second straight and third overall in six games for the Diliman squad, good enough to revive its bid to advance to the second phase of elims for the top four teams where they play another round.

The top two finishers secure twice-to-beat bonuses in the quarters.

The fifth to ninth places, meantime, also play another round with the last placer to be eliminated.