Scorpions share UCBL lead on stinging win

Games Monday (Olivarez Sports Center) 12 noon – TIP vs CEU 2 p.m. – BSU vs San Lorenzo

Centro Escolar University came through with a big second quarter assault and romped to an 88-60 win over University of Batangas, 88-60, to gain a piece of the lead in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) yesterday at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque City.

The CEU Scorpions led by just two points (20-18) in the first 10 minutes of play but outscored the Brahmans in the next frame, 24-14, that saw them take a 44-32 halftime lead through the efforts of Carlo Casino, Ehsan Veron, Oliver Arim and Jason Opiso.

CEU held UB to just 11 points in third to practically settle the outcome of the game as they raced to a 67-43 lead.

With the win, the Scorpions tied idle the Technological Institute of the Philippines Engineers for the lead at 2-0.

It was a morale- boosting win for CEU which next faces TIP tomorrow in a showdown between the title favorites in the tournament sponsored by EuroMed and Lamoiyan Corp.

“We got to a slow start. Good thing the boys overcame the predicament and played well in the final half,” said CEU coach Yong Garcia.

Aside from their impressive shooting, Garcia also credited their pressure defense for the win, especially in the final half where they forced the Brahmans to commit numerous turnovers.

CEU’s winning margin was the largest so far in the tournament – thanks to a wellbalanced attack. They took their biggest lead at 29 points (85-53) on a Veron jumper.

Casino led the Scorpions with 14 points aside from posting three rebounds and three assists, while Veron completed a doubledouble with 12 points and 12 rebounds.