Team Batangas shocked the Centro Escolar University Scorpions on Monday, dealing the fancied squad a 96-90 stunner in the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Clark Derige lit up for 28 points and hauled down seven rebounds as the Generals delivered the first upset of the second conference.
Cedric de Joya also chipped in 20 points, four assists, and three boards. Christian Manalo was a surprise contributor and got himself 18.
“We played as a team at yun naman ang strength namin,” said coach Oliver Bunyi.
“When we play individually, talagang parating disadvantage sa amin. But ang pinaka-importante dito is yung resiliency nila because they didn’t give up even if we’re under pressure,” he added.
Batangas leveled their standing at 1-1, forcing a four-way tie for second place early in the tournament.
A big reason for that is the Generals’ running game, as they zoomed to 24 fastbreak points against the Scorpions’ six.
That was pivotal as Batangas staged an 11-4 run to turn a close 78-77 edge to a commanding 89-81 advantage with 3:01 left on the clock.
Pierce Chan carried CEU with 17 points as he went 4-of-8 from threes, while Rich Guinitaran got 16 in the loss.
The Scores:
Batangas 96 — Derige 28, De Joya 20, Manalo 18, Dela Peña 7, Tabi 6, Zamora 6, Delfinado 4, Mohammed 3, Guian 2, Mendoza 2, Arim 0, Diolanto 0, Saldana 0, Tilos 0.
CEU 90 — Chan 17, Guinitaran 16, Formento 12, Oloume 12, Ke. Caballero 11, Rojas 6, Intic 2, Uri 2, Ko. Caballero 0.
Quarterscores: 27-24, 52-51, 67-71, 96-90.
