Centro Escolar University obliterated Asia’s Lashes Tomas Morato by 41 points, 89-48, to cruise to the 2019 PBA D-League Second Conference semifinals Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Rich Guinitaran paced the Scorpions with 16 points and 14 rebounds to make the semis for the third straight conference dating back to the 2018 Foundation Cup.
Dave Bernabe provided 15 points and 10 rebounds as Senegalese center Malick Diouf filled up the stat sheet as he finished with 12 markers, 13 boards, four assists, two steals, and two blocks in the win.
“I just told the players to take care of things, do not take them lightly. We have to jump on them right away and not make them think of a Game Two,” said coach Derrick Pumaren.
The Scorpions indeed jumped to a 21-9 start thanks to Guinitaran, Bernabe, and Diouf, before ending the first period ahead by 27, 43-16. The game would never be in question from then on as they cruised to the 41-point victory.
CEU’s stifling defense limited the opposition to shoot just 28.6-percent from the field and also forced them to commit a total of 23 turnovers, which it converted to 25 easy points.
The Scorpions now await the winner between BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare and Hyperwash in the other quarterfinal bracket for their opponents in the best-of-three semifinal series.
Jhygrus Laude was the lone double-digit scorer with 11 points to lead Asia’s Lashes, who missed a total of five players in the contest including top floor general James Martinez.
The Scores:
CEU 89 — Guinitaran 16, Bernabe 15, Diouf 12, Diaz 10, Santos 7, Tuadles 7, Tagal 7, De Ocampo 5, Sunga 5, Espiritu 3, Murillo 2, Escalona 0.
Asia’s Lashes 48 — Laude 11, Alban 6, Tadeo 6, Castro 5, Dela Cruz 5, Sabellina 5, Celada 3, Sarao 3, Reyes 2, Delfinado 2.
Quarterscores: 43-16, 57-23, 63-30, 89-48.
