Engineers scramble past Griffins, boost UCBL bid

Bryan Santos and John Enriquez came through with big baskets down the stretch as Technological Institute of the Philippines edged Colegio De San Lorenzo, 76-72, in the first Universities and Colleges Basketball League ( UCBL) at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque last Sunday.

Santos hit back-to-back baskets as the Engineers regained the lead at 69-66 then held sway the rest of the way to foil the CDSL Griffins’ upset bid and notch their third win against one loss.

But the victory hardly pleased TIP coach Potit de Vera, who hit his wards’ inconsistency on both ends.

The Engineers actually looked headed for a cruise after seizing a 13-point lead, 49-37, at the half. But they struggled in the fourth, allowing the Griffins to score in transition and turn the match into an endgame battle.

In the other game, Olivarez College streaked to its third straight win after an opening game defeat as it routed University of Batangas, 98-66, to draw level with TIP.

The Olivarez-UB game was tight in the first two quarters but the Sea Lions erupted for 37 points at the resumption to rip the game apart.

Jonjon Gabriel sizzled with 33 points, rallying CDSL in the fourth and into a 66-65 lead. He completed a double-double with 21 rebounds while adding five assists but the Griffins fell short in the end and dropped to 1-3.

Harley Diego topscored for the Engineers with 16 points, hauled down 10 rebounds and made two assists, while John Enriquez and Santos posted 15 and 14 points, respectively.