Philippine Sports News and Updates

THE Sea Lions of Olivarez College exploited the absence of veteran point guard Rex Leynes, posting an 81-74 upset of the defending champion St. Francis of Assisi College Doves yesterday in the 7th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Sports Center.

Without Leynes, the Sea Lions scored easy baskets after forcing the Doves to turnovers in the second half en route to their second win in three games.

Marlon Vizcarra finished with 19 points as he led the Sea Lions to their first-ever win over the Doves in seven years.

Leynes did not show up in the Doves’ bench as he had to visit the funeral of his late father who died last week.

Earlier, Joselito Magpayo had 21 points while Cedric Matugas added 16 as the Universal College of Nursing Dragons outplayed La Salle-Dasmariñas, 80-70.

The Dragons and the Sea Lions now share second spot at 2-1.

This put the Philippine School of Business Administration Jaguars in the solo lead with a 2-0 card.

Leonard Victoria, who only had nine points, moved the Sea Lions out of reach with 4:54 left with successive drives for a 67-61 lead.

“The plan was to deny their point guard the ball. But we were not expecting Leynes to be absent. Without him, our defense became even better,” said Olivarez College coach and former varsity player Michael Saguiguit.

Last Friday, the Sea Lions beat Colegio de Sta. Monica, 82-74, with Eleazar Aguilar and Lascunas making 15 points apiece, while Lowell Papa had 15 points for the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals as the prevailed over the DLSU-Dasmarinas Patriots, 86-74.