Centro Escolar University streaked to its third win by clobbering Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas, 92-39, to grab the early lead in the 5th PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) Monday, Nov. 21, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The CEU Scorpions started hot, rushing to a 23-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter as they rattled the Dolphins with their pressure defense to win pulling away for the third straight game in the tournament presented by Vespa.
In the other game, University of Batangas snapped a two-game skid with an 85-51 win over newcomer Guang Ming College to improve its record to 2-2.
Guang Ming College suffered its second straight defeat for a 1-2 mark.
In another show of force, four CEU players scored in double figures, with Lenard Santiago top-scoring with 14 points apart from posting four boards and one assist.
Jerome Santos, Jhomel Ancheta and Ron Rei Tolentino added 12 points each for the Scorpions who made a living inside the paint with 56 points – thanks to their 65-47 advantage in rebounding.
Ayodeji Balogun had only six points but collared 16 rebounds apart from four assists in a little over 20 minutes of play.
CEU rotated the ball so well that it put its lead beyond PCU’s reach after building an imposing 66-28 advantage going into the final 10 minutes. They posted 26 assists against only 11 for PCU which absorbed its third defeat in four games.
Meantime, two-time defending champion Diliman College bounced back from a shock defeat to PCU on Nov. 17 with 108-65 drubbing of Lyceum-Batangas.
Diliman’s 108 bettered the 106 of CEU in trouncing GMC on Nov. 14.
Six Diliman players scored 10 points or more, with Mark Kobe Sierra leading the assault with 24 points and four rebounds for Rensy Bajar-mentored squad.
