CEU slays NCAA giant San Beda

CENTRO Escolar University (CEU) saved its best for last and battered Marinerong Pilipino-san Beda, 78-56, in deciding Game 3 on Thursday night to earn the right to face back-toback defending champion Ecooil-la Salle in the Finals of the Philippine Basketball Association D-league Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Scorpions stormed to a 21-point advantage at the half and repelled a late rally by the Red Lions to complete the stunning triumph that many thought was a longshot.

CEU spoiled a much-awaited title rematch between fancied La Salle and San

Beda while making their third Finals appearance in the league—the

Scorpions finished runner-up in the 2017 Foundation Cup and 2019 Aspirants’ Cup.

CEU and La Salle begin their best-of-three titular showdown on Monday at 7:30 p.m. also at the Ynares Sports Arena.

“Every time you beat a team like San Beda, it gives you that feeling… that they’re one of the top collegiate programs in the country and CEU is just outside of the UAAP [University Athletic Association of the Philippines] and the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association],” CEU head coach Jeff Perlas said.

“It’s really a big morale-booster not just for the players but also for the entire CEU community,” he added.

Team captain

Franz Ray Diaz scored 13 points in the first half to set the tone of the breakaway. He finished with a team-high 21 points along with three rebounds and four assists.

Abdul-wahab Olusesi, on the other hand, repeatedly imposed himself in the middle for rebounds and dunks on the way to 15 points and 28 rebounds (nine offensive) and three blocks.

CEU also got solid contribution from Daniel Marcelo and Jerome Santos who tallied 14 and 10 points, respectively.

CEU won Game 1, 75 -71, but Marinerong Pilipino-san Beda bounced back in Game 2 to even the series forced the sudden death.

San Beda made a run in the third quarter but got no closer than 11 points at 41-52 as Olusesi took a breather.

Jomel Puno scored a game-high 23 points to show the way for San Beda but the only other Red Lion in doubledigit was Bryan Sajonia with 12.