Centro Escolar University outplayed Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda, 72-63, on Tuesday to keep its hopes afloat in their bid to snatch an outright semifinal berth in the PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup wide open at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Scorpions found their rhythm early, stayed in control throught the match but needed to survive a late rally by the Red Lions to secure their third win in four games.
Marinerong PIlipino San Beda battled back from a 20-point deficit and pulled within four with three minutes left in the fourth but blew their chance to turn the game with an erratic finish.
The loss snapped the Red Lion's three-game win streak.
"As I've said in my pre-game speech, what I wrote on the board aside from the technicalities and Xs and Os is "David and Goliath". San Beda is a strong team. They're the Goliaths in this game and we're the Davids but nothing is impossible for us as long as we believe we have a David inside us," said Perlas..
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Abdul-Wahab Olusesi tallied 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Franz Ray Diaz had 15 and Jerome Santos had 12 for the Scorpions, who could advance outright to the semifinals with another win against also-ran CCI-Yengskivel at the close of the elimination round on Thursday.
A three-way tie for the Top 2 seats among EcoOil-La Salle, CEU and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda could ensue should the Scorpions and Red Lions win their respective matches.
But for the Red Lions to finish in the Top 2, they will have to win big agaist the Green Archers. (JBU)
The Scores:
CEU 72 - Olusesi 16, Diaz 15, Santos 12, Darbin 9, Marcelo 6, Bernabe 4, Guevarra 4, Puray 4, Gamboa 2, Mendoza 0, Malicana 0, Serrano 0.
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Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda 63 - Payosing 14, Calimag R. 10, Andrada 8, Sajonia 7, Tagle 6, Puno 5, Royo 5, Songcuya 4, Calimag RC. 3, Celzo 1, Tagala 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 21-11, 34-24, 55-42, 72-63
