Sea Lions roar to brink of title

Olivarez College, drawing inspired game from MVP winner Jayboy Solis, outlasted defending champion Diliman College, 64-62, in the opening of their best-of-three title series in the PG Flex Linoleum-UCBL yesterday at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.

The Sea Lions led the game most of the way, taking a 12-point advantage in the third but needed crucial stops late in the game to prevail.

Solis led Olivarez with 21 points aside from posting five rebounds, two assists and the same number of steals to complete his momentous day that saw him receive his MVP plum from PG Flex Linoleum owner Nelson Guevarra. He accumulated 314 statistical points to win the highest individual award pulling away.

The Sea Lions can clinch their first title in three finals appearances with another win Monday.

Solis normed 22.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 1 steal and 3.5 blocks in the eliminations in steering the Sea Lions to their third finals appearance.

Joining Solis in the Mythical Team are Diliman College’s Johnnel Bauzon, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas’ Sandee Diez, Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas’ Aliane Lapasaran and UB’s JJ Caspe.

University of Batangas’ Raoul Yemeli emerged as the best foreign player after averaging 14.4 points, 13 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Earlier, Centro Escolar University went on a crucial fourth-quarter splurge and finished third by blasting University of Batangas, 75-55.