Scorpions shoot for No. 4 vs Dragons

MANILA, Philippines - Multi-titled Centro Escolar University guns for its fourth straight victory as it collides with Diliman College today even as University of Batangas seeks to snap a three-game skid in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

The CEU Scorpions are expected to use their height and heft advantage and experience to the hilt as they try to extend their win run against the Diliman Blue Dragons, toting a 1-1 card, in their 12 noon encounter.

The UB Brahmans, on the other hand, hope to finally break into the win column in their fourth try as they tangle with the Bulacan State University Gold Gears at 2 p.m.

BSU stunned a highly favored Olivarez College, 96-91, in the opener, but dropped its next two games against Technological Institute of the Philippines and Colegio De San Lorenzo.

The Brahmans will rely on the troika of Joefried Arboleda, Rhenz Espiritu and Warlito Gotam while the Gold Gears of coach Antonio Tayao will once again rely on Leonard de Leon and Dom Fajardo.

But all eyes will be on CEU’s 6-6 Rod Ebondo, who defied TIP’s two Nigerian reinforcements – 6-foot-10 Chris Okoronkwo and 6-foot-4 Ikee Akpuru – and came through with 20 points and 20 of rebounds in leading CEU to an 81-65 rout of the TIP Engineers.