Diliman College sets Fr. Martin Cup finals duel vs San Beda

MANILA, Philippines – The Diliman College Blue Dragons advanced to the finals with the San Beda Red Lions after turning back their rivals last Sunday in the  15th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament at the St. Placid Gym inside San Beda-Manila campus in Mendiola.

This will be the third time that the Blue Dragons will be in a winner-take-all championship round this year in the cagefest’s series of tournaments after they repulsed the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 82-79.

The Red Lions earlier stopped the Adamson Falcons, 75-72, to arrange a showdown with the Blue Dragons this Sunday in 59 in this cagefest, which is supported by Slick Tight Hair Pomade.

In the junior division, the National University Bullpups prevailed over the San Beda-Rizal Red Cubs, 75-72, while the Manila Patriotic School Patriots won over the Diliman Preparatory School Baby Blue Dragons, 96-91, to earn tickets to the finals.

Kristoffer Torrado’s assist to Adama Diakhite, his layup and two charities in the last 12.5 seconds provided the Blue Dragons an 82-76 cushion at endgame.

Diakhite led the Blue Dragons with 27 points while Justin Gutang and Robert Ocampo made 27 and 14 points, respectively, for the Blazers.

The Blue Dragons reached the semis after stopping the Letran Knights, 75-73, in the quarterfinals, while the Blazers got past the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 91-87, in overtime, and in a second playoff encounter.

Alfred Sedillo chipped in a game-high 16 points for the Red Lions, with his basket in the last 2:54 giving them a 70-61 cushion in the endgame.

Dominic Dayrit, who had 16 points, drove in to break a 65-all tie in the last 55 seconds, and made a steal at the buzzer to preserve the Bullpups’ slim advantage at endgame.

Andrei Romenez topscored for 30 points for the Patriots while Jonathan Kongolo hit 18 points for the Baby Blue Dragons.