Scorpions sweep way to UCBL title

MANILA, Philippines — Centro Escolar University made history with a grand sweep of the 5th PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) capped by a 92-82 disposal of Olivarez College at the Paco Arena in Manila yesterday.

The Scorpions weathered the Sea Lions’ spirited fourth-quarter chase, thus, clinching a second championship since their title run in UCBL’s inaugural edition in 2016.

Mythical Selection awardee Lenard Santiago poured in 22 points on top of six assists and five steals while Jerome Santos also produced 22 markers plus four rebounds and three assists as CEU swept Olivarez in the best-of-three finals.

The Scorpions earlier applied the broom in the double-round elims phase of the seven-team tourney.

Edmund dela Cruz and Mark Gallano, members of the Mythical Selection, paced Olivarez with 19 and 14 points, respectively.

Olivarez threatened at 81-77 with 4:29 left behind the efforts of Dela Cruz, Gallano and John Umali.

But it proved to be their last hurrah as CEU came through with two solid defensive stops, with the first a block from Henry Agunnane which Ron Rei Tolentino translated into a layup.