NCRAA CEU Scorpions stun Mariners in finals opener

Centro Escolar University is one win away from winning the NCRAA men’s basketball tournament crown under veteran mentor Derrick Pumaren.

The Scorpions went to main man Rich Guinitaran all game long and got the insurance basket from guard Keanu Caballero in the endgame to preserve a 63-59 victory over Philippine Merchant Marine School in Game 1 of the best-of-three championship.

CEU can wrap things up with a win on Wednesday.

Guinitaran, a high-scoring forward, led the way with 26 points as the Scorpions wheeled into place to capture an NCRAA title on their debut season.

Caballero, who committed an ill-advised flagrant foul earlier on Kurt Sunga, nearly cost the game for the Scorpions. His lapse in judgment resulted in three free throws for the Mariners. But he redeemed himself with the all-important basket with 8.5 seconds left.

“We know mas marami silang fans na nagpunta, but we just played our game. We kept our focus (We knew they have their fans behind them, but we kept our focus),” said Guinitaran.

Earlier, CEU’s women’s team made it a twin kill after outlasting De La Salle-Dasmariñas, 68-64.