Centro Escolar University outlasted Emilio Aguinaldo College, 85-83, and advanced to the semis of the PG Flex Linoleum UCBL Pre-Season tournament Monday at the SGS Gym in Quezon City.
The Scorpions banked heavily on the heroics of Ron Rei Tolentino and Ayodeji Balogun to pull through and arranged a Final Four showdown with the University of Perpetual Help, which pulled off an 84-77 win over Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas.
Also making it to the next round were National University and Adamson.
The Bulldogs got a free passage to the semifinals after the Far Eastern University Tamaraws forfeited their quarters match due to health and safety protocols.
The Falcons, on the other hand, fended off a gritty Olivarez College, 66-60, in their own quarterfinals clash.
The semis date, according to tournament director Horacio Lim, is still to be finalized.
Ray Allen Torres scattered 13 points while John Calisay added 12 for the Falcons who survived repeated rallies from the Sea Lions to secure the win.
Tolentino dropped 20 points on four triples while Balogun added a double-double of 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Scorpions.
Four players scored in double figures for Perpetual led by Marcus Nitura who finished with 18 points. He got ample support from Mark Omega and Jielo Razon who finished with 14 and 11 respectively.
