Centro Escolar University outplayed Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, 72-63, on Tuesday to keep its hopes alive in their bid to snatch an outright semifinal berth in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup wide open at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Scorpions found their rhythm early, stayed in control throughout the match but needed to survive a late rally by the Red Lions to secure their third win in four games.
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda battled back from a 20-point deficit and pulled within four with three minutes left in the fourth but blew their chance to turn the game with an erratic finish.
The loss snapped the Red Lions’ three-game win streak.
“As I’ve said in my pre-game speech, what I wrote on the board aside from the technicalities and Xs and Os is ‘David and Goliath.’ San Beda is a strong team. They’re the Goliaths in this game and we’re the Davids, but nothing is impossible for us as long as we believe we have a David inside us,” said CEU head coach Jeffrey Perlas.
(C) PBA D-League
Abdul-Wahab Olusesi tallied 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Franz Ray Diaz had 15, and Jerome Santos had 12 for the Scorpions, who could advance outright to the semifinals with another win against also-ran CCI-Yengskivel at the close of the elimination round on Thursday.
A three-way tie for the Top 2 seats among EcoOil-La Salle, CEU, and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda could ensue should the Scorpions and Red Lions win their respective matches.
But for the Red Lions to finish in the Top 2, they will have to win big against the Green Archers.
Meanwhile, Go Torakku-St. Clare accomplished its mission.
Megan Galang scored 11 of his team-high 20 points in the second quarter as Go Torakku-St. Clare pulled away for a 118-84 rout of CCI-Yengskivel.
“Ang lalakas ‘nung mga unang nakalaban namin (na Top 2) pero ito, sabi ko lang sa mga players, ‘wag nila i-underestimate. Kalapit namin na school ito so parang for pride na rin. Sabi ko lang sa mga bata, gawin lang nila ‘yung mga tamang tinuturo namin,” said St. Clare mentor Jinino Manansala.
Babacar Ndong finished with a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds and carried the fight for Go Torakku-St. Clare in the third quarter when CCI-Yengskivel appeared poised to seize control. CCI-Yengskivel outscored Go Torakku-St. Clare, 32-27, in the period.
Simone Renz de Guzman scored 14 points, John Mark Estacio had 11, and Ryan Isaac Sual added 10 for the winner.
The Scores:
First Game:
Go Torakku-St.Clare 118 – Galang 20, Ndong 16, De Guzman 14, Estacio 11, Sual 10, Russel 9, Decanao 8, Cabauatan 7, Tapenio 6, Dumancas 5, Balacaoc 4, Yu 4, Manzano 2, Angeles 2, Burgos 0.M
CCI-Yengskivel 84 – Nuarin 17, Laran 16, Dela Cruz 16, Galvez 13, Valderama 10, Luciano 6, Buenaflor 6, Verdadero 0, Guray 0, Jawili 0, Dever 0, Talagtag 0.
Quartescores: 21-18, 55-36, 82-68, 118-84.
Second Game:
CEU 72 – Olusesi 16, Diaz 15, Santos 12, Darbin 9, Marcelo 6, Bernabe 4, Guevarra 4, Puray 4, Gamboa 2, Mendoza 0, Malicana 0, Serrano 0.
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda 63 – Payosing 14, Calimag Ri 10, Andrada 8, Sajonia 7, Tagle 6, Puno 5, Royo 5, Songcuya 4, Calimag RC. 3, Celzo 1, Tagala 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 21-11, 34-24, 55-42, 72-63.
