Cignal-Ateneo lived up to the hype and clobbered Centro Escolar University, 101-66, Thursday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan to take Game One of the 2019 PBA D-League Finals.
The heavily-favored Blue Eagles jumped on the hapless Scorpions in the second quarter, staging a 29-15 assault that made it a 54-31 lead at the half. The lead grew to as much as 39, 78-39, in the third frame.
Isaac Go shot 4-of-6 from downtown to carry Cignal-Ateneo with 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Thirdy Ravena added 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in the trouncing.
SJ Belangel also made the most of his opportunities, firing nine of his 12 points in the first half as the Blue Eagles recorded the most lopsided PBA D-League Finals game in history with the 35-point rout.
“We knew coming into the game that they went through a very tough best-of-three against St. Clare and we had more rest. We just wanted to make sure that we use our bench and I think that’s what happened,” said assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga.
Game Two is scheduled on Tuesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Senegalese center Maodo Malick Diouf anchored the Scorpions in the losing effort with 21 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
The Scores:
Cignal-Ateneo 101 — Go 17, Ravena 15, Belangel 12, Kouame 9, Ma. Nieto 9, Tio 8, Wong 8, Daves 7, Andrade 5, Mi. Nieto 3, Mamuyac 3, Mendoza 3, Berjay 2, Navarro 0, Credo 0.
CEU 66 — Diouf 21, Santos 13, Guinitaran 12, Diaz 6, Bernabe 6, Intic 4, Sunga 2, Abastillas 2.
Quarterscores: 25-16, 54-31, 80-45, 101-66.
