Sea Lions, Engineers duel for semis bonus

Games today 12 noon – Olivarez vs TIP 2 p.m. – CEU vs BulSU

Olivarez College and Technological Institute of the Philippines square off today for the No. 2 spot and the semis bonus even as Centro Escolar University guns for its 11th straight win in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

Assured of semis berths with similar 7-3 records, the Olivarez Sea Lions and the TIP Engineers are still expected to pour it all out in their 12 noon encounter with a twice-to-beat edge at stake.

Though the Sea Lions are on a roll, they remain wary of the Engineers, who beat them, 69-65, in their first round meeting.

The hosts have won four straight in emphatic fashions but the Engineers will also be coming into the match oozing with confidence following their 72-55 rout of the Colegio De San Lorenzo Griffins.

“We really played with urgency. Our target is to finish the elims at No. 2, so this game is very crucial. But we have to play aggressively,” said TIP coach Petit de Vera.

Meantime, the CEU Scorpions are heavily favored to repeat over Bulacan State University in their 2 p.m. clash.

The Scorpions have swept their first 10 games but the BSU Gold Gears are hard-pressed to come up with a victory and bolster their own semifinal bid.

BSU totes a 4-6 mark, just halfa-game ahead of the fifth running CDSL Griffins (4-7).

Another loss to CEU will send BSU to a must-win match against Diliman College on Saturday for a chance to force a playoff for the last semis seat with the Griffins, who also have to hurdle the University of Batangas Brahmans, also this weekend.