Diliman takes bright path to UCBL semis

Unbeaten Diliman College secured the first semifinals berth after holding off Centro Escolar University, 66-62, in the PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez College Gym in Parañaque City.

Robbi Darang’s two free throws with one second left sealed the defending champion Blue Dragons’ eighth victory of the season after the Scorpions tried to erase an 11-point deficit early in the fourth quarter.

Darang topscored with 18 points, Johnrel Bauzon posted 14 points and nine rebounds and Kevin Gandjeto added 12 points, nine rebounds and six steals in Diliman College’s victory.

Maodo Malick Diouf had 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks as CEU dropped to a 5-3 record.

Diouf’s basket with 2:23 left in the fourth cut Diliman’s lead to two, 64-62, but Joshua Abastillas and Franz Diaz missed a pair of tying baskets before CEU was forced to a 24-second shot clock violation with 11 seconds to go.

In other games, Olivarez College repeated over University of Batangas, 80-65, while Technological Institute of the Philippines defeated Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas, 84-74.

Olivarez’s win improved its record to 6-2 – thanks to the 25-point explosion of Jayboy Solis.

Christian Daguro scored 29 points and dished out nine assists for the Engineers, who won for the just the second time in eight outings.

Aliane Lapasaran produced 19 points but the Pirates fell to 3-5 despite keeping their hold on fifth place.