The Flying V Thunder figured out the puzzle that is the Centro Escolar University Scorpions in the second half to nab a 91-79 victory and book a ticket to the Foundation Cup playoffs, Tuesday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
For the fourth time this conference, Jeron Teng notched 30 points, on a 4-of-9 sniping from threes, to go with three assists and two rebounds to lead the fight for the Thunder.
Eric Salamat went 4-of-8 from beyond the arc to collect 13 markers, five assists, and four boards, while Gab Banal scattered 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven dimes.
“CEU decided to zone us the whole game but luckily, we were able to make our shots in the second half,” said coach Eric Altamirano. “It’s very important for us to make our outside shots.”
Flying V had themselves going from rainbow country, shooting 11-for-30 for the game, with Teng’s back-to-back treys giving them a 61-47 lead with 2:09 left in the third quarter before going on cruise control late.
The win kept the Thunder in their untarnished 7-0 record, as they snapped the Scorpions’ four game winning run and send them down the standings at 4-3.
Rod Ebondo captained CEU with 22 points and 21 rebounds, while Orlan Wamar and Judel Fuentes got 11 markers each.
Flying V look to extend their win streak to eight when they face the AMA Online Education Titans on Monday, July 17, at 5:00pm. CEU, on the other hand, take on the Gamboa Coffee Lovers on the same day.
The Scores:
Flying V (91) – Teng 30, Salamat 13, Banal 11, Thiele 10, Torres 9, Dionisio 8, Paredes 5, Cañada 3, Tampus 2, Colina 0, Cabahug 0, Webb 0, Austria 0, Mendoza 0.
CEU (79) – Ebondo 22, Wamar 11, Fuentes 11, Jeruta 8, Intic 5, Manlangit 5, Guinitaran 4, Cruz 4, Casiño 3, Uri 2, Arim 2, Aquino 2, Baconcon 0.
Quarterscores: 14-9, 38-34, 63-53, 91-79.
