Centro Escolar University repeated over Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, 75-71, on Thursday in Game 1 of their semifinal duel in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Daniel Marcelo waxed hot in the fourth quarter while Dylan Darbin and Jerome Santos provided the insurance free throws to save the day for the Scorpions nearly blew double-digit lead in the second half.
Marcelo poured 14 of his 31 points in the payoff period, including a booming trey to give the Scorpions a 71-66 lead in the final minute as the Scorpions held on to the finish to repeat over the NCAA kings.
CEU, which beat San Beda, 72-63, in the classification round, could get the job done and advance to the finals with another win on Tuesday.
"We don't want to come into the game thinking that we're the No. 2 team. I reminded them that San Beda will be a different team in the semis and we're still the Davids here, not the Goliaths," said CEU coach Jeff Perlas.
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"We just have to keep believing that we belong here. Our players have to bring that David inside them and they did."
Abdub-Wahab Olusesi, who was a stellar offensively, tallied 15 points, 18 rebounds, two steals and five blocks for CEU
San Beda was just down 55-58 after Yukien Andrada hit a triple halfway through the payoff period but Marcelo answered with five straight, including triple to make it a five-point game, 63-58.
The Red Lions kept the game close and pulled within two several times but Marcelo always had an answere before Darbin and Santos sealed the win from the free throw line.
RC Calimag had 13 points, Jomel Puno and Sajonia fired 12 points apiece for San Beda.(JBU)
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The Scores:
CEU 75 - Marcelo 31, Olusesi 15, Darbin 10, Puray 8, Diaz 5, Santos 4, Bernabe 2 Gueverra 0, Malicana 0, Mendoza 0, Gamboa 0.
Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda 71 - Calimag RC 13, Puno 12, Sajonia 12, Payosing 8, Andrada 7, Tagle 6, Songcuya 4, Celzo 4, Royo 3, Gonzales 2, Estacio 0, Calimag Jr 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 39-33, 54-46, 75-71.
