Olivarez College wins cage title

Liberian student John Corneh pulled off crucial plays at endgame to deliver the Olivarez College Sea Lions to their first ever crown yesterday in the 17th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball finals.

    The six-foot-three Corneh drilled 17 gamehigh points, including a decisive drive with 8.7 seconds left to  lift the Sea Lions to a 92-90 triumph over the Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder at the Pasay City Sports Complex.

    It was an emotional win for the Sea Lions, who have never won a crown  for the last 17 years in this cagefest which is supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

    “Namamatay ang momentum namin pero dahil championship na, salamat sa Taas at nabigyan kami ng lakas. Nung last minute, sabi ko sa mga bata, hold on to the ball,” said Sea Lions Michael Saguiguit, who also draw inspiration from his wife Shem, who is about to give birth to their second child anytime this week.

         The Sea Lions, who finished the best-of-three finals with a 2-1 win-loss record, extended the series to a deciding Game 3 following a 110-109 win last week.

    The Blue Thunder were trying to force an overtime after Jessie Villamor’s triple with 48.8 ticks to go allowed RTU to threaten, 89-90.

In the next play, Marlon Vizcarra turned the ball over after bungling an attempt. But RTU ace Alwyn Elinon bungled a fastbreak heave, which Corneh intercepted.

With school owner Dr. Pablo Olivarez cheering the team on, Corneh then drove past Elinon in the next play to hand the Sea Lions a 92-89 lead in the ensuing play.

RTU had a final opportunity to tie the count and send the game into overtime, but Corneh got fouled when he rammed into a dribbling John Whitfield.

Whitfield then split his free throw as time expired, and this handed the Sea Lions the win.

Archie Reyes, who was hailed the MVP, chipped in 16 points with Philip de la Cruz, while Vizcarra had 15. Jerby Glorioso made 23 points for RTU.