Scorpions, Movers dispute early lead

EARLY Foundation Cup leadership is at stake when unbeaten teams Centro Escolar University (CEU) and Metropac-San Beda face each other in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League on Monday at Paco Arena in Manila.

Tip-off is at 4 p.m., following the 2 p.m. clash between unbeaten Valencia City Bukidnon-San Sebastian College (2-0) and winless SMDC-National University (0-2).

Both the Scorpions and Movers banked on their defense to get the job done in their first two games.

CEU is so far the best defensive team early in the tournament, limiting their foes to just 70.5 points, while Metropac-San Beda isn’t far behind with its 72.5 points allowed.

That’s why, for Scorpions Coach Derrick Pumaren, he’s hoping that the experience advantage would favor his side over the Movers.

“They are a tough team. Hopefully, we come out, show up and step up to the challenge. This will be a good gauge for us,” Pumaren said after his side’s 90-65 win over University of Perpetual Help last week.

Senegalese big man Maodo Malick Diouf, Rich Guinitaran and Tyron Chan will be counted on as CEU seeks win No. 3.

Cameroonian center Donald Tankoua will be out to counter them for Metropac-San Beda, which has also drawn big contributions from young guys James Canlas and Evan Nelle.

“I’m happy with the way they’re stepping up,” Movers Coach Boyet Fernandez said. “The guys coming off the bench are stepping up and proving that they are capable of playing. That’s really our focus right now.”

Metropac-San Beda is coming off a 94-70 victory over Wangs Basketball on February 28 and would love to add another victim to its growing list.