Centro Escolar seeks semis berth

Games Today (Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig City) 3 p.m. – Batangas vs CEU 5 p.m. – Tanduay vs Marinerong Pilipino

Centro Escolar University looks to capitalize on the twice-to-beat advantage and make quick work of the retooled Batangas squad today in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup quarterfinals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The Scorpions are eager to secure a best-of-three semifinal duel with the unbeaten Flying V Thunder with a victory over Batangas in the 3 p.m. curtainraiser of the first playoff stage of the PBA's developmental tournament.

Also aiming a short trip to the semis is Tanduay, which also holds a twice-to-beat against Marinerong Pilipino. Their match is slated at 5 p.m. with the Rhum Masters eyeing a semis date with the Aspirants' Cup champion Cignal HD Hawkeyes.

CEU clinched the No. 4 seed and the quarterfinal bonus after beating Batangas and Marinerong Pilipino in a tiebreaker for the second twice-to-beat incentive. The three squads finished with identical 6-4 records, with the Scorpions having the superior quotient.

Scorpions coach Yong Garcia drew solid productions from Congolese center Rod Ebondo, JK Casino, Orlan Wamar and Aaron Jeruta during the tournament used by the team as preparation for its defense of the UCBL crown.

CEU beat Batangas, 72-70, in its lone elims match, but things will be different this time after the latter signed Leo Avenido and Robby Celiz, among others, to beef up its campaign.

“Sa ngayon naka-focus kami sa preparations namin. We can't worry about other things, but yung preparation talaga against Batangas,” said Garcia.

Meanwhile, Tanduay is entering the contest with cautious optimism despite finishing third with a 7-3 record and psychological advantage after a narrow 76-74 win over Marinerong Pilipino in the elims.