The Centro Escolar University Scorpions bounced back from an opening day loss to defeat the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 81-80, on the second day of the SMART-UCBL Summer Tournament at the Philippine Buddhacare Academy, Sunday morning.
The Scorpions leaned on the big fourth period effort of brothers Keanu and Kobe Caballero and Rich Guinitaran to even their win-loss record at 1-1 while keeping the Growling Tigers winless at 0-2.
UST was comfortably ahead by 10 markers entering the final two minutes, 77-67, until Guinitaran and the Caballero brothers starred in a crippling 13-0 run capped by the go-ahead Kobe triple and a tip-in by Christian Uri for an 80-77 count with 35 seconds to go. Josh Ayo and Kobe then swapped free throw splits to set the stage for the wild finish.
Ranzell Yongco drove to the basket for two points to cut CEU’s lead to single point with six seconds to go. The Tigers then forced a quick turnover but Yongco’s shot at the buzzer missed.
The elder Keanu led the Scorpions with 12 of his 15 points coming in the second half. Guinitaran had nine of his 13 points in the fourth while Gilles Oloume had 14 points and nine rebounds.
CJ Cansino led UST with 17 markers.
In the day’s other games, the National University Bulldogs took their second consecutive win by downing the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 96-77.
From a poor first period, Chami Diputado, Nico Abatayo, and Karl Penano presided over the Bulldogs’ second period breakaway for a 46-38 halftime tally and they never looked back.
JP Cauilan paced National with nine of his 16 points coming in the third period on top of five rebounds. Penano was next with 15 points and six rebounds.
The Diliman College Blue Dragons then joined the Bulldogs at the top by trouncing the Olivarez Colleg Sea Lion in a thriller, 72-69.
Adama Diakhite completed the Blue Dragons’ rally with a undergoal stab with 18 seconds left to break the 69-69 deadlock followed by a missed triple from Joshua Almajeda that led to JM Olea icing the game with a free throw with 1.5 ticks to play.
Diakhite had another dominating performance of 21 points and seven rebounds. Kristoffer Torrado supported him with 10 points plus six assists and two steals.
The Scores:
First Game
CEU (81) – Ke Caballero 15, Oloume 14, Guinitaran 13, Ko Caballero 10, Rojas 8, Formento 6, Cruz 5, Uri 4, Chan 4, Galinato 2, Wamar 0, Ello 0, Pamaran 0.
UST (80) – Cansino 17, Abando 15, Concepcion 12, Cosejo 8, Agustin 8, Yongco 5, Marcos 4, Ayo 3, Bataller 2, Paraiso 2, Pangilinan 2, Lagumen 2, Batuzolele 0, Asuncion 0.
Quartercores: 16-15, 32-33, 52-58, 81-80.
Second Game
NU (96) – Cauilan 16, Penano 15, Abatayo 14, Morido 13, Diputado 8, Minerva 8, Malonzo 8, Atienza 5, Puray 4, Rangel 3, Salim 2.
JRU (77) – Perez 13, Esguerra 11, Ramos 9, Estrella 9, Steinl 7, Silvarez 7, de la Virgen 7, Mallari 5, Mendoza 4, Butcon 4, Serafica 1, Yu 0, Ocay 0, Dulalia 0, Bordon 0, Padua 0, de la Rosa 0.
Quartercores: 17-22, 46-38, 73-51, 96.77.
Third Game
Diliman (72) – Diakhite 21, Torrado 10, Brutas 9, Enriquez 6, Arceta 5, Sombero 5, Cecilio 4, Mbiya 4, Darang 3, Bauzon 2, Ligon 2, Olea 1, Salazar 0, Diaz 0.
Olivarez (69) – Castro 17, Santos 10, de Leon 10, Campos 8, Rocero 6, Elie 6, Sala 6, Ignacio 2, Almajeda 2, Geronimo 2, Patizar 0, Siegue 0, Terania 0, Completo 0.
Quartercores: 13-16, 29-32, 50-52, 72-69.
