Centro Escolar University poured its wrath on the hapless AMA Online with a 107-68 blowout to enter the winner’s column in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Scorpions stung the Titans from the get go, 35-14, and hardly encountered a fightback from there on en route to a massive 39-point win.
CEU improved to 1-1 following an 84-62 loss to reigning champion EcoOil-La Salle in the opener two weeks ago as the Titans remained winless in two games.
“We’re overwhelmed in our first loss but the very first thing we did after that defeat was to adjust our defensive schemes. We made some adjustments on defense and luckily, we got this first win,” said coach Jeff Perlas, who’s still in a transition period with the Scorpions following his appointment last February.
CEU, a perennial contender in the D-League, is actually coming off a championship sweep in the UCBL but struggled in its first foray for a 22-point loss to La Salle.
Against AMA, the Scorpions were not to be denied in leading by as many as 41 markers behind the 18 points of Vince Ferrer in only 12 minutes of action.
Anjord Cabotaje added 16 while Ayodeji Victor Balogun collared 15 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks for CEU, which uncorked a 14-2 run early in the second away to turn a 21-12 lead to a quick 21-point gap.
Dave Bernabe and Karl Peñano chipped in eight more points apiece for the Scorpions.
JC Yambao, Thirds Del Rosario, and captain Nikon Alina had 12 each for the Titans, who also dropped a 101-57 loss to Perpetual last week.
The Scores:
CEU 107 – Ferrer 18, Cabotaje 16, Balogun 15, Bernabe 8, Peñano 8, Diaz 7, Anagbogu 6, Santos 6, Javier 5, Joson 4, Tolentino 4, Samaniego 3, Malicana 3, Reyes 2, Dela Cruz 2.
AMA 68 – Alina 12, Del Rosario 12, Yambao 12, Panlilio 8, Camay 5, Silvarez 5, Santos 3, Ibo 2, K. Cruz 2, A. Cruz 2, Golloso 2, Romero 2, Magpayo 1.
Quarterscores: 21-12, 46-27, 76-44, 107-68.
