Congolese big man Rod Ebondo fired 31 points and nine rebounds, as he pulled the Centro Escolar University Scorpions to a 104-93 stunner against the veteran-laden Marinerong Pilipino Skippers, Monday afternoon at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
But the victory wasn’t all Ebondo, as the Scorpions’ snipers found their range and went 12-of-30 from downtown.
Judel Fuentes accounted for three of those triples, as he shot 3-of-8 from beyond-the-arc to wind up with 20 markers.
His last five came in the last 1:22 to help CEU deny a late rally from the Skippers, as the Mendiola-based squad started their campaign on top.
Joseph Manlangit also chipped in 19 points, eight in the fourth quarter, alongside seven rebounds. Orlan Wamar shot 11 markers, four rebounds, and three dimes.
The Scorpions established early control of the game and took a 19-point advantage, 62-43.
Marinerong Pilipino crawled back and even tied the game at 75, after an Achie Iñigo layup, but CEU went on with an 8-0 finishing kick in the frame to retake the 83-75 lead and go on cruise control from that point on.
“We had a good first half, but in the third quarter, nag-relax kami. I’m just glad na sinunod namin yung gameplan at naka-recover kami,” said CEU coach Yong Garcia. “It’s all credit to the players. Binigay nila yung best nila.”
Rian Ayonayon saw his 24 points, eight rebounds, and two assists performance go down the drain, as Marinerong Pilipino incurred their second straight defeat.
Renzo Subido and Billy Robles both had 17 in the loss.
CEU will next face the Che’lu-San Sebastian Revellers, the other team their former head coach Egay Macaraya built, on Tuesday, February 6. Marinerong Pilipino, on the other hand, look to snap out of their funk the Wangs-Letran Knights on Thursday, February 8.
The Scores:
CEU 104 — Ebondo 31, Fuentes 20, Manlangit 19, Wamar 11, Arim 9, Guinitaran 8, Cruz 4, Aquino 2, Caballero 0, Intic 0, Saber 0, Veron 0.
Marinerong Pilipino 93 — Ayonayon 24, Subido 17, Robles 17, Toth 10, Tratter 6, Iñigo 6, Paredes 6, Banal 5, Pasaol 2, Babilonia 0, Lopez 0, Terso 0.
Quarterscores: 20-21, 55-41, 83-75, 104-93.
