Olivarez College shoots for a finals berth and stays on track for a perfect season when it battles Philippine Merchant Marine School while six other teams also look to book a seat in the championship round of the National Capital Region Athletic Association basketball tournament Monday at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Gym in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
The Sealions swept the single round eliminations by winning all their 11 games, then added PUP to their list of victims following their decisive 86-73 triumph in the quarterfinal round.
Olivarez will take on PMMS, last season’s runner-up, which was able to salvage a 67-53 win over La Salle-Dasmarinas to make it to the Final Four.
The Sealions and the Mariners clash at 10:30 a.m. right after the women’s basketball showdown between Centro Escolar University and PMMS at 9 a.m. PATTS clash with Immaculada Concepcion in the other knockout semifinals duel for men at 12 noon while the Lady Radicals of PUP will take on La Salle-Dasmarinas in the main game at 1:30 p.m.
While the Sealions had a trouble-free ride in beating the Radicals in their playoff encounter, the Mariners had to refocus after being dragged in a knockout duel by the Patriots, who salvaged a 78-74 win last 17 May.
This makes the fresher Sealions the heavy favorite in their do-or-die encounter for a championship berth of this tournament headed by general manager Buddy Encarnado with former University of Santo Tomas coach Segundo dela Cruz serving as the commissioner.
