In an inter-league battle, UCBL’s Centro Escolar University bamboozled NCAA’s Perpetual Altas, 90-65, to take joint leadership in the Foundation Group of the 2019 PBA D-League on Monday at Paco Arena in Manila.
Senegalese slotman Maodo Malick Diouf led the Scorpions with 12 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks as he set the tone when they grabbed an early 24-12 lead.
It was all CEU from there as five other players notched double-digits for their second consecutive win.
John Rojas topscored for his side with 14 points and four rebounds off the bench, while Tyron Chan chimed in 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Rich Guinitaran and Christian Uri combined for 24, as Judel Fuentes collected 11 points and four boards in the win.
“I commend my coaches for scouting Perpetual well. We’re able to anticipate what they are doing and the coaches prepared our players well. We were able to defend them, and everything we did, it all starts from our defense,” remarked coach Derrick Pumaren.
Perpetual still fought back from a 26-point deficit, 68-42 in the third frame, as Ben Adamos’ triple sliced the lead down to 17, 73-56 in the final 7:21. However, Rojas was quick to retort as he triggered a 12-2 tear that brought the lead back to 27, 85-58 in the final three minutes.
CEU ascended to the top of the Foundation Group standings, joining fellow unbeaten squads Metropac-San Beda and Valencia City Bukidnon-SSCR.
Perpetual, meanwhile, remained in the hunt for its elusive breakthrough win through two games.
Edgar Charcos paced the Altas with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists, as Jeffer Egan got 13.
The Scores:
CEU 90 — Rojas 14, Diouf 12, Chan 12, Guinitaran 12, Uri 12, Fuentes 11, Ke. Caballero 7, Intic 6, Lisbo 4, Diaz 0, Formento 0, Ko. Caballero 0, Pamaran 0, David 0, Abastillas 0.
UPHSD 65 — Charcos 17, Egan 13, Razon 8, Adamos 7, Guissani 5, Peralta 4, Sese 3, Martel 2, Tamayo 2, Solis 2, Lanoy 2, Aurin 0, Pasia 0, Pido 0.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 51-38, 70-52, 90-65.
